Thailand Live Friday 31 Oct 2014

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NBTC to hand out second lot of digital TV coupons on Nov 28

BANGKOK, 31 October 2014 (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is prepared to distribute more digital TV coupons to over 3 million households in 21 provinces in late November.

According to NBTC Secretary-General Thakorn Tanthasit, the second phase of the digital TV coupon handout project is set to commence on November 28. Up to 3.6 million households in 21 provinces are eligible to receive the discount coupons in this round. These provinces include Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Pattani, Surat Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai.

On October 10, the NBTC began delivering the first batch of coupons by mail to about 4.6 million households in another 21 provinces where the digital TV signal coverage was higher than 80 percent, including Bangkok and its vicinities.

Therefore, at the end of the second round, more than 8 million households altogether in 42 provinces of Thailand will have received their 690-baht coupons. If any coupons fail to arrive in the mail, the recipients are advised to contact the local post office or call the NBTC’s 1200 hotline.

As for around 2.8 million families who live in densely populated communities or unregistered homes and were left out of the previous survey, the NBTC is in the process of determining the consideration criteria for them. If eligible, they are expected to be given the coupons no later than December.


-- NNT 2014-10-31

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National police chief warns against distorted information on Koh Tao murder

BANGKOK: -- Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang today warned of tough legal action for anyone who posted false information on the social network criticizing the handling of the Koh Tao murder case by the police which he said could cause rift and a threat to economy.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772695-national-police-chief-warns-against-distorted-information-on-koh-tao-murder/

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Panadda: Debt problems at top of complaint issues

BANGKOK, 31 October 2014 (NNT) – Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office ML Panadda Diskul has voiced satisfaction with the operation of the government’s complaint center while citing household debt as the top cause for concern among Thai people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772717-panadda-debt-problems-at-top-of-complaint-issues/

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DNA test will clear my son: headman
THE NATION



Family threatens to sue over online speculation about Koh Tao murders

BANGKOK: -- MEDICAL TEAMS from four institutes yesterday joined the process to conduct DNA tests on a 22-year-old man whom many Thai social-media users alleged is a suspect in the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772718-dna-test-will-clear-my-son-koh-tao-headman/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Pheu Thai's decision to push through the amnesty bill was a mistake: Weng
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation


Weng

BANGKOK: -- One year after the controversial blanket amnesty bill was pushed through just before dawn by the then-ruling Pheu Thai Party, red-shirt co-leader and former Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakan still says it was a grave mistake that led to the downfall of Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772720-pheu-thais-decision-to-push-through-the-amnesty-bill-was-a-mistake-weng/

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SPECIAL REPORT
A year later ... was it worth it?
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

PDRC in wait and see mode as it awaits national reforms

BANGKOK: -- The night of October 31 last year saw Thailand's most effective "whistle blowers" unfurl their banner of revolt after a controversial amnesty bill aimed at favouring fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was passed by the lower House just before dawn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772721-special-thai-report-a-year-later-was-it-worth-it/

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SPECIAL REPORT
'Amnesty bill a lesson for all'
Nawakhun Manthati,
Kris Bhromsuthi
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A year has passed since then-ruling Pheu Thai Party passed the controversial blanket amnesty bill - a move that had taught lessons to both politicians and citizens, academics said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772722-pheu-thai-amnesty-bill-a-lesson-for-all/

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SGWA upbeat over verdict on water scheme
THE NATION



Today's ruling expected to uphold previous outcome requiring govt to carry out impact assessments

BANGKOK: -- THE SUPREME Administrative Court's ruling today on the Bt350-billion water-management scheme would hopefully set a standard for other similar projects in the future, Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) chairman Srisuwan Janya said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772723-sgwa-upbeat-over-verdict-on-thai-water-scheme/

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Ailing TOT looks for partnership
Usanee Mongkolporn,
Sirivish Toomgum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- TOT has approached five private major telecom operators about becoming a partner of any of its six core businesses in an effort to stay alive in the industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772724-ailing-tot-looks-for-partnership/

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EDITORIAL
When security forces can't be trusted
The Nation

A spike in violence in the deep South can be traced directly to the Army's rough reactions to events

BANGKOK: -- The Army's so-called "Tung Yang Daeng model" - an effort to integrate the operation of the military, villagers and local security into one cohesive unit - is facing a severe test in that Pattani district after back-to-back incidents that illustrated the vulnerability of security units in remote areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772725-thai-editorial-when-security-forces-cant-be-trusted/

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OVERDRIVE
Swiss gold vote threatens foundations of global currency system
Thanong Khanthong

Next month Switzerland will vote in the so-called "Save our Swiss Gold" referendum.

BANGKOK: -- Like last month's vote on Scottish independence, where the United Kingdom's future was at stake, the Swiss referendum to reinstate the Swiss franc as a sound currency will have far-reaching implications not only for the gold market but also the global financial system as a whole.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772726-swiss-gold-vote-threatens-foundations-of-global-currency-system/

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Pattaya Bar Girl caught with class 1 drugs



PATTAYA: -- A Pattaya Bar Girl, was caught with a significant quantity of class 1 drugs on Thursday and claimed she had just started to sell drugs to supplement her income as a Bar Girl which has been effected by a quiet low season in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772727-pattaya-bar-girl-caught-with-class-1-drugs/

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7-11 Armed Robbery suspects in custody



PATTAYA: -- Earlier in October two armed robberies took place at 7-Eleven Convenience Stores in the Jomtien area and on Thursday it was announced by Police that two men, thought to have committed both robberies had been arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772729-pattaya-7-11-armed-robbery-suspects-in-custody/

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Boy drowns in East Pattaya Reservoir



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday afternoon a 17 year old boy drowned in a reservoir located in the Huay Yai area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772730-boy-drowns-in-east-pattaya-reservoir/

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Khunying Jaruwan formally charged with malfeasance



BANGKOK: -- Former auditor-general KhunyingJaruwanMainthaka was today indicted before the Criminal Court with the charge of malfeasance in office by the public prosecution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772731-khunying-jaruwan-formally-charged-with-malfeasance/

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Transport minister pledges to install sensors to warn motorists of incoming trains



BANGKOK: -- Transport minister ACM Prajin Juntong today pledged to introduce sensor system to warn motorists of incoming trains on railway crossing following today’s train and truck crash that resulted in the death of five people, and over 20 injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772732-thai-transport-minister-pledges-to-install-sensors-to-warn-motorists-of-incoming-trains/

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Yingluck impeachment proceedings in 25 days, says NLA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vice-president Surachai Liengboonlertchai said yesterday the impeachment proceedings against ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra would take no more than 25 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772733-yingluck-impeachment-proceedings-in-25-days-says-nla/

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BURNING ISSUE
As gas supplies dwindle, debate over extraction drags on
Sasithorn Ongdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to have put a brake on a move by energy network civic groups opposing the government's new round of bidding for petroleum concessions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772735-thai-politics-as-gas-supplies-dwindle-debate-over-extraction-drags-on/

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Asian fungus kills European salamanders, could spread
Washington, United States | AFP |

WASHINGTON: -- A fungus from Asia has killed off large numbers of salamanders and newts in Belgium and The Netherlands and risks reaching North America unless the exotic pet trade is stopped, researchers said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772736-asian-fungus-kills-european-salamanders-could-spread/

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Jerusalem holy site closure 'declaration of war' - Abbas

(BBC) A spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has described the closure of a disputed Jerusalem holy site as a "declaration of war".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772738-jerusalem-holy-site-closure-declaration-of-war-abbas/

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Roman Polanski freed in Poland after US extradition bid

(BBC) Film director Roman Polanski has been released after being questioned by prosecutors in Poland over sex offences in the US.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772739-roman-polanski-freed-in-poland-after-us-extradition-bid/

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Sky lantern concerns cause cancellation of 112 flights and rescheduling of 50 others at Chiang Mai airport during next week's Loy Krathong festival. /Bangkok Post

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Asia's first 'water jungle' being developed in Hua Hin
The Nation

HUA HIN: -- The Bt900 million Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle is Asia's first "water jungle".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772763-asias-first-water-jungle-being-developed-in-hua-hin/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,570.80, gains 5.45 points /MCOT

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Temperatures to drop and scattered thunderstorms expected in Thailand

BANGKOK, 31 October 2014 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department revealed that Thailand’s northern region would face cooler temperatures, whereas the eastern, central, and southern regions would be hit by scattered rains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772791-temperatures-to-drop-and-scattered-thunderstorms-expected-in-thailand/

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THAI flights to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai cancelled and rescheduled to avoid sky lanterns



BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International yesterday announced the cancellation and rescheduling of some of its flights to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport to avoid thousands of sky lanterns which are expected to be floated during the three-day Loy Krathong festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772792-thai-flights-to-chiang-mai-chiang-rai-cancelled-and-rescheduled-to-avoid-sky-lanterns/

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The National Anti- Corruption Commission (NACC) today revealed the assets and liabilities of the 33-member cabinet government of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha showing the deputy prime minister M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula being the richest with 1.3 billion baht assets.

M.R. Pridiyathorn has 1.378 billion baht assets with no liabilities.

The poorest minister is Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, the minter of education. He has 6.9 million baht in assets.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut has 128 million baht in assets.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/70136/


-- Thai PBS 2014-10-31

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Household debt is top of all complaints



BANGKOK: -- Household debt is the most complaint that authorities received from the people, Prime Minister’s Office minister ML Panadda Diskul said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772793-thai-household-debt-is-top-of-all-complaints-that-authorities-receive-from-people/

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N. Korea to quarantine all foreigners entering the country for 21 days, regardless of country of origin, to keep out Ebola. /The Nation

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The man who shot the 9/11 mastermind will give his first televised interview next month on Fox News

SYDNEY: -- THE US Navy Seal commando who fired the shots that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is to reveal his identity in a Fox News television documentary next month, the network has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772794-bin-ladens-shooter-to-give-his-first-televised-interview/