Thailand Live Thursday 6 Nov 2014

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Deputy Foreign Minister meets with Vietnamese Ambassador

BANGKOK, 6 November 2014 (NNT) – The Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand has paid a visit with Mr Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, with a view to tightening the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

During his courtesy call on Mr Don, Mr Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Thailand, extended his congratulations to the Thai Deputy Foreign Minister on his recent appointment to the post. The two also expressed satisfaction with the long-standing friendship and close cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam, especially the exchange of visits between high-level officials.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the near future in order to introduce himself to the neighboring country after assuming office. Meanwhile, his Vietnamese counterpart is set to come to Thailand in late December to attend the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit.

Mr Don voiced support for the signing of a joint action plan on the promotion of the Thai-Vietnamese strategic partnership which would take place during Gen Prayut’s trip to Vietnam. He said the agreement would be of great significance and benefit to both nations.

At the same time, the Vietnamese Ambassador thanked Thailand for its active role in coordinating various affairs between ASEAN and China that could help resolve conflicts in the South China Sea and reinforce regional stability and security.


-- NNT 2014-11-06

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Phuket airport immigration deny ‘B100 fast track through Ebola line’
Nattha Thepbamrung

Phuket Airport is massively overcrowded and Immigration lines both ways are long. Photo Denverkid

PHUKET: Immigration police have strenuously denied asking for bribes from airline passengers for letting them through the newly created lane specifically for people arriving from countries where the deadly Ebola disease is rampant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774250-phuket-airport-immigration-deny-b100-fast-track-through-ebola-line/

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Laotian Women Rescued From Thai 'Karaoke' Brothels
By Khaosod English


Police officers count money seized from the brothel in Nakhon Pathom province, 5 November 2014.

NAKHON PATHOM — Police say they have rescued 23 young Thai and Laotian women who were allegedly being helped captive in a karaoke shop in central Nakhon Pathom where they were forced into prostitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774304-lao-women-rescued-from-thai-karaoke-brothels/

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CHARTER DRAFTING
CDC chief concerned about expectations
The Nation


Members of the newly set up Constitution Drafting Committee pay their respects at the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok yesterday. They also paid their respects at the nearby Emerald Buddha Temple.

Drafters vow to work for country and people; charter to be ready for royal approval by Sept 4

BANGKOK: -- Borwornsak Uwanno, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), yesterday voiced concerns about the mission of writing the country's new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774305-thai-charter-drafting-cdc-chief-concerned-about-expectations/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Russia seeks closer defence cooperation
Phatsurang Dechabuddharungsi
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Russia is ready to sell weapons to Thailand as Moscow wants to see a new era of military and security cooperation between the two nations in order to combat transnational crime and terrorism, Ambassador Kirill Barskiy said on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774306-russia-seeks-closer-defence-cooperation-with-thailand/

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Superboard approves Egat's infrastructure fund plan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Superboard of state enterprises yesterday agreed to allow the launch of a Bt20-billion infrastructure fund for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), making this the first fund to be launched by a state enterprise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774307-superboard-approves-egats-infrastructure-fund-plan/

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SECTION 44
NCPO warns pressure groups to back off
The Nation

Charter empowers Prayut to use harsher penalties: Sansern

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who also serves as Army chief, said yesterday that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would not resort to the interim charter's Section 44 if pressure groups do not instigate political rallies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774308-ncpo-warns-pressure-groups-to-back-off/

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SOUTHERN INSURGENCY
Student 'shot by those who killed her dad'
Santhiti Koejitmet,
Narong Nuansakul
The Nation



'Insurgent riding pillion on bike fired at 20-year-old uni student in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- THE GUNMAN who fatally shot a 20-year-old university student in the South on Sunday might have come from the same group that killed her father in 2006, an informed source reported yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774309-thai-student-shot-by-those-who-killed-her-dad/

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ONE MILLION BOOKS AND PRINTED WORKS
National Library archive online in three years
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All books and the entire archive in the National Library will be digitised and available online in the next three years, Fine Arts Department director-general Bowornwet Rungroojee said yesterday.

Around one million books and printed works are to be catalogued and digitised, he said. The digitisation work has been slowed by budget constraints.

The first lot of books to be digitised will be those free of copyright problems, including those copyrighted by the Fine Arts Department, he said.

Purchasing a sophisticated scanner to speed up the work would require a large amount of money, he added.

The work is in line with government policy and will cover all books and material produced by agencies associated with the National Library, including the National Archives and the National Museum, said Bowornwet.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/National-Library-archive-online-in-three-years-30247091.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-06

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Foreign tourists can be assured of safety in Thailand, says Kobkarn
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION
LONDON

LONDON: -- INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS can be assured of their safety and security while staying in Thailand, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said at this week's "World Travel Mart" in London.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774310-foreign-tourists-can-be-assured-of-safety-in-thailand-says-kobkarn/

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Govt hastens plan to wean from fuel subsidy
PICHAYA CHANGSORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Energy Policy Committee will meet this month to consider implementing an energy price reform package that might further increase diesel and liquefied petroleum gas prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774311-thai-govt-hastens-plan-to-wean-from-fuel-subsidy/

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'Stop politicians from reaping off farners'
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Academics, government officials and rice traders have called for the establishment of concrete laws and regulations to prevent politicians reaping benefits from crop-subsidy projects, and mainly from rice schemes, by requiring the declaration of funds sourced from budget spending and the regular reporting of account balances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774312-stop-politicians-from-reaping-off-farners/

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EDITORIAL
Time to sober up, Koh Pha-ngan
The Nation

The full moon parties draw hundreds of thousands to Thailand each year, but dangers are growing for locals and visitors alike

BANGKOK: -- Today brings the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, celebrated around the country as Loy Krathong. As Thais mark the occasion by releasing krathong (floats) on water and kom loy (candlelit lanterns) into the air, thousands of tourists from around the world will tonight gather on Koh Pha-ngan in the Gulf of Thailand for a "full-moon party".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774313-thai-editorial-time-to-sober-up-koh-pha-ngan/

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THAI TALK
Will General Prayut keep his road-map deadline?
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A renowned astrologer known for his public support of the military has gone on the record as suggesting that one year might not be sufficient for Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha to put the country back on track.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774314-thai-talk-will-general-prayut-keep-his-road-map-deadline/

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Pregnant Foreigners second suicide attempt of the day in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police and medics rushed to the scene of an attempted suicide of a pregnant foreign national at a footbridge in North Pattaya on Wednesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774315-pregnant-foreigners-second-suicide-attempt-of-the-day-in-north-pattaya/

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Shots fired as car fails to stop at Pattaya Police Checkpoint



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Wednesday, a number of Pattaya Police Officers and Police Volunteers were injured during a car chase after the vehicle failed to stop at a Checkpoint in Jomtien.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774316-shots-fired-as-car-fails-to-stop-at-pattaya-police-checkpoint/

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ICT ministry to cooperate with US firms to produce new tablets



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology will cooperate with US-based technology firms to produce a new brand of cheap tablets for Thai consumers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774317-thai-ict-ministry-to-cooperate-with-us-firms-to-produce-new-tablets/

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Two killed and seven injured in chemical explosion in Chiang Mai



CHIANG MAI: -- Two people were killed and seven others injured when potassium chlorate which was stored in a house in Chiang Mai’s Doi Tao district caused an explosion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774318-two-killed-and-seven-injured-in-chemical-explosion-in-chiang-mai/

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No need for PM to worry about use of words in headlines: experts
Phumpetch Roumjit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha may not be happy with the choice of some words in news headlines but to media academics, there's nothing for him to worry about.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774319-no-need-for-pm-prayut-to-worry-about-use-of-words-in-headlines-experts/

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Police coy over new probe into Koh Tao murders
Suwannee Bandisak
The Nation


File Photo

BANGKOK: -- LOCAL POLICE in Surat Thani province have refused to comment on reports that the Myanmar Embassy and the Justice Ministry are pushing for a fresh investigation into the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774320-police-coy-over-new-probe-into-koh-tao-murders/

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Police arrest jewel-thief chauffeur after manhunt
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police on Tuesday apprehended a chauffeur who allegedly attacked his female boss the day before in Bangkok and stole her Mercedes plus Bt9 million in valuables.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774321-thai-police-arrest-jewel-thief-chauffeur-after-manhunt/

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Obama and Republican leader pledge to work together

WASHINGTON: -- The US Senate's new Republican leader and President Barack Obama have both promised to end the political gridlock that has so frustrated American voters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774322-obama-and-republican-leader-pledge-to-work-together/

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Jerusalem attack: Netanyahu blames incitement

(BBC) A Palestinian driver has rammed a car into several pedestrians in Jerusalem, killing a policeman, hours after clashes at the city's holiest site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774324-jerusalem-sees-new-deadly-car-attack/

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AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd gets charged with attempting to procure a murder

MELBOURNE: -- AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd will appear in New Zealand's Tauranga District Court this afternoon charged with attempting to procure a murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774333-acdc-drummer-phil-rudd-gets-charged-with-attempting-to-procure-a-murder/

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Prime minister urges observance of fireworks and flying lanterns safety regulations

BANGKOK, 06 November 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday urged members of the public to give their cooperation in observing safety regulations concerned with flying lanterns and fireworks during the Loi Krathong festival.

Speaking about maintaining safety during the Loi Krathong period, General Prayut said responsible agencies have been assigned to ensure safety at sites where Loi Krathong will be celebrated. Meanwhile, he would like to ask the public to observe regulations on the lighting of fireworks and firecrackers, and the release of flying lanterns, as these actions may cause damage to nearby homes or jeopardize the safety of aircraft. The prime minister also disclosed that personally, he had no plans for Loi Krathong.

Army Commander-in-Chief Udomdej Sitabutr said on Wednesday military officials would work alongside police officers and officials from other agencies to maintain order at Loi Krathong celebration sites throughout the country.


-- NNT 2014-11-06

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China asked to delay enforcement of new standard for imported compound rubber

BANGKOK, 06 November 2014 (NNT) – Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Puengboon na Ayutthaya on Wednesday asked for China to consider delaying its enforcement of a new regulation on compound rubber products for one more year, to allow time for Thai producers to adjust their manufacturing process to meet the new standard.

Mr. Pitipong made the request during a meeting with the Chinese trade delegation in Thailand. The minister explained that China's new importation standard for compound rubber, which is slated to take effect on January 1, mandates that natural rubber shall not constitute more than 88% of compound rubber composition. Thailand's compound rubber makers stand to lose their share in the Chinese market because their products contain a higher ratio of natural rubber than allowed in the new standard.

Mr. Pitipong asked the Chinese trade delegation to give Thai producers one year to install new machinery and train staff to accommodate the new standard.


-- NNT 2014-11-06

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Park named 46th most powerful person in Forbes list
By Digital Content

WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye was named the 46th most powerful person in the world by Forbes magazine on Wednesday, three notches ahead of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and 17 notches ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774349-park-named-46th-most-powerful-person-in-forbes-list/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,582.04, gains 4.64 points /MCOT

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NRC to meet again today to select members of 18 extraordinary committees

BANGKOK, 06 November 2014 (NNT) – National Reform Council Second Deputy Speaker Thatsana Bunthong has been selected to head the NRC's committee for the selection of members of 18 extraordinary committees.

On Wednesday Lt. Gen. Thitiwat Kamlang-ek, NRC member for political affairs, was chosen as the deputy chairperson of the committee. Ms. Benchawan Sangnithon, NRC member for state administration affairs, was chosen to be the second deputy chairperson. Ms. Churairat Chunlachakkrawat, NRC member for Chiang Mai, was selected to be the committee's secretary. Mr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, NRC member for public health and environmental affairs,was chosen as the spokesperson for the committee. Also on Wednesday, the NRC established that six non-NRC members would be included in each of the 18 extraordinary committees.

According to Mr. Thon, many individuals have applied for positions in the extraordinary committees for anti-corruption reform, education reform and local administration reform while very few have applied to certain other extraordinary committees. The NRC wants each extraordinary committee to have at least 17-18 members.

The committee for the selection of the extraordinary committees' members will meet again today (Thursday) to choose the chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary and spokesperson of each of the 18 extraordinary committees.


-- NNT 2014-11-06

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Indonesia to waive visa requirements for 5 countries

BANGKOK: -- : -- The government will waive visa requirements for the citizens of several countries in a bid to attract 20 million tourists by 2020, according to The Jakarta Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774353-indonesia-to-waive-visa-requirements-for-5-countries/