Thailand Live Wednesday 12 Nov 2014

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OBEC orders all schools in storm hit areas on a full-scale flood alert

BANGKOK, 12 November 2014 (NNT) – The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has ordered all Educational Service Areas in nine southern provinces, to be on full alert against flooding and landslide while authorizing school directors to order a school closure in emergency cases.

The warning has been sent to the Educational Service Areas in nine southern provinces namely Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Kamol Rodklai, OBEC Secretary General, revealed that these schools are strongly suggested to follow the weather forecast from the Meteorological Department.

All school directors are authorized to close their schools if they consider the situation is called for. They should also provide assistance to affected students, their parents, and educational officials. If the budget allotted to the flood relief operations is insufficient, additional budgets can be requested from the OBEC.

Kamol also stressed that the OBEC realized the risk of natural hazards and had implemented since 2011 a project to prepare students to cope with natural disasters. The course also gives them drills on how to survive in such a situation.


-- NNT 2014-11-12

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Danish expat witnessed his wife’s murder

BANGKOK: -- The 53 year old Danish expat Palle Jensen and his Thai wife Pim were on Saturday 1. November 2014 attacked by members of her family while staying in the house of other family members. Two days later, his wife died from her injuries and Palle Jensen now fears for the safety of his 6 year old son and himself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775729-danish-expat-witnessed-his-thai-wifes-murder/

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Vanessa-Mae: Skiing violinist banned for four years

BANGKOK: -- Violinist Vanessa-Mae has been banned from skiing for four years after results were manipulated to help her qualify for the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775750-vanessa-mae-skiing-violinist-banned-for-four-years/

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Americans among five 'criminals' nabbed here
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Immigration police have arrested five foreign men, including a much-wanted American, for crimes they allegedly committed, a police press conference was told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775808-americans-among-five-criminals-arrested-in-thailand/

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UPDATE:

Yingluck impeachment hearing deferred until November 28
THE NATION


Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly whip resolved yesterday to defer impeachment proceedings against ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra till November 28 over the rice-pledging scheme because she had not yet looked into the documents or prepared herself to fight the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775720-ex-pm-yinglucks-impeachment-hearing-tentatively-postponed/?p=8658852#entry8658852

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Immigration detainees vanish from custody
The Nation

Large group in Songkhla, possibly Uighurs, believed to have fled

BANGKOK: -- A large NUMBER of people from an unknown origin who had been in civilian custody in Songkhla province since March have gone missing, the chief of the provincial social development and human security office said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775809-immigration-detainees-vanish-from-custody-in-songkhla-province/

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Over 10 key players in Rohingya trafficking
The Nation

Government official provides aliases of gang leaders, says the gang leaders made 'big money' from people smuggling

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 10 big agents have allegedly been smuggling Rohingya people from Myanmar to a third country, an informed source revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775810-over-10-key-players-in-rohingya-trafficking/

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UN urges Thailand against deporting Myanmar boatpeople

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- The United Nations said Tuesday it had urged Thai authorities against deporting more than 200 Muslim boatpeople from Myanmar being held in southern Thailand after they were intercepted en route to Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775811-un-urges-thailand-against-deporting-myanmar-boatpeople/

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We are happier now, PM tells world leaders at Apec
The Nation


A smiling Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha plants a tree at an event that was part of the two-day Apec meeting in Beijing, which ended yesterday. Also seen in the photo is the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, third left.

BANGKOK: -- Are you happy? That's the question US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and many other leaders asked coup maker-cum-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in chats during a dinner reception at the Apec summit in Beijing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775813-we-are-happier-now-pm-prayut-tells-world-leaders-at-apec/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
'Key to new charter is a strong informed citizenry'


Jade

BANGKOK: -- Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) member Jade Donavanik, who is also a law expert and the youngest drafter on the committee, tells The Nation's Nitipol Kiravanich that empowerment of the people is the key issue in a new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775815-exclusive-interview-key-to-new-charter-is-a-strong-informed-citizenry/

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INVESTMENT
Rail deal with China
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- CHINA HAS agreed to help Thailand build dual-track railway lines and medium-speed train projects via government-to-government deals, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775816-china-agrees-to-help-thailand-build-dual-track-railway/

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STIMULUS
BOT may resort to stimulus
The Nation


Prasarn

BANGKOK: -- THE BANK OF THAILAND could turn on the stimulus tap, as risks are rising that the economy might not reach 1.5-per-cent growth this year, and that exports might even contract.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775817-bank-of-thailand-may-resort-to-stimulus/

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TAX REFORM
Ministry proposes land, property tax reform
Pichaya Changsorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry will submit its land and property tax reform proposal to the Cabinet before year-end, which should boost tax revenue collection from landowners by six or seven-fold, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775818-thai-finance-ministry-proposes-land-property-tax-reform/

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EDITORIAL
Social media better than security cameras
The Nation

But like a knife, the online court of opinion can cut both ways

BANGKOK: -- Just when we thought our social conscience was in a hopeless skid, with selfishness and casual law-breaking out of control, there has emerged a glint of hope. The collective force of the social media has shown that the voice of civil society can separate right from wrong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775819-thai-editorial-social-media-better-than-security-cameras/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Grumpy Prayut versus over-dramatic headline writers
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Now we know exactly what words Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha doesn't like.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775820-thai-opinion-grumpy-prayut-versus-over-dramatic-headline-writers/

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Pattaya Police Chief begins investigation into Tim “Sharky” Ward



PATTAYA: -- The Pattaya Police Chief announced on Tuesday that he has begun an investigation into an Australian National who recently confronted Officers at Pattaya Police Station over allegations of theft of money and gold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775821-pattaya-police-chief-begins-investigation-into-tim-sharky-ward/

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2 Million Baht Pattaya ATM theft suspect arrested by Police



PATTAYA: -- A 27 year old man and former employee of a company contracted to replenish ATM machines with money, was arrested on Tuesday at a homeless shelter in East Pattaya following the alleged theft of an ATM money box which contained 2 Million Baht in cash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775822-2-million-baht-pattaya-atm-theft-suspect-arrested-by-police/

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Phuket police show off haul of weapons and drugs
Saran Mitrarat


Handguns galore.

PHUKET: -- In a frightening indication of just how lawless some people in Phuket are, police seized more than 1,000 firearms, knives, packets of drugs and other contraband items in the week from November 1 to 7, which they showed off to the media this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775823-phuket-police-show-off-haul-of-weapons-and-drugs/

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Thieves drill through walls, ransack six offices
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thieves drilled through the walls on the sixth floor of a Bangkok hotel in order to steal valuables from six of seven companies located there early yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775824-thieves-drill-through-a-bangkok-hotel-walls-ransack-six-offices/

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BURNING ISSUE
Aborted march in North shows flaws in forest evictions
Supalak Ganjanakhundee

BANGKOK: -- The brief detention of Chulalongkorn University academic Prapart Pintobtang over the weekend for his marching campaign for land reform has sent a warning message that the reform process in Thailand is going in the wrong direction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775825-thai-politics-aborted-march-in-north-shows-flaws-in-forest-evictions/

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FINANCIAL HUB
'Thailand could become financial hub' rivalling Singapore, Malaysia
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation


Adisorn

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has the potential to be a financial hub in Asean, especially for Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, which need funds to drive their growth, Twin Pine Consulting Co managing director Adisorn Singhsacha said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775828-thailand-could-become-financial-hub-rivalling-singapore-malaysia/

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EU court ruling backs curbs on 'benefit tourism'

(BBC) The European Court of Justice has said member states can deny certain payments to unemployed EU citizens who move to that country just to claim benefits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775829-eu-court-ruling-backs-curbs-on-benefit-tourism/

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Libya violence: Activists beheaded in Derna

(BBC) Three young activists have been found beheaded in Derna, in eastern Libya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775830-activists-beheaded-in-eastern-libya/

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Big Bank Hank, US rapper and Sugarhill Gang founder member, dies at 57

(BBC) Big Bank Hank, the New York rapper who, as part of the Sugarhill Gang, released what is generally regarded as the first rap record, has died at the age of 57.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775831-big-bank-hank-us-rapper-dies-at-57/

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Merkel says new EU Russia sanctions unplanned

(BBC) German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said further economic sanctions against Russia are not planned over its actions in eastern Ukraine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775833-merkel-says-new-eu-russia-sanctions-unplanned/

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Zambia: Elephant survives mass lion attack (Video)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775840-zambia-elephant-survives-mass-lion-attack-video/

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Fire rages at Bangkradi Industrial Estate electronics factory in Pathum Thani; blaze not yet under control /MCOT

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Central Investigation Bureau chief, deputy sacked in lightning transfers

BANGKOK: -- Central Investigation Bureau Commission Pol Lt Gen Pongsaphat Chayaphan and his deputy, Maj Gen Kowit Wongrungrot, were moved to inactive posts at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in a lightning transfer.

Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Somyos Pumpunmuang signed the transfer order late Tuesday night. Assistant Police Commissioner General Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri was made acting CIB chief.

The transfer order did not specify reasons behind the move.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Central-Investigation-Bureau-chief-deputy-sacked-i-30247568.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-12

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,573.76, gains 2.56 points /MCOT

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Fire hits electronic parts factory in Pathum Thani

BANGKOK: -- A building of SVI factory that makes electronic parts was burnt down early Wednesday, police said. The fire broke out a 5 am.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/775864-fire-rages-at-bangkradi-industrial-estate-electronics-factory-in-pathum-thani/