Thailand Live Friday 21 Nov 2014

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Vietnamese delegation observes alternative energy plant in Ubon Ratchathani

UBON RATCHATHANI, 21 November 2014 (NNT) - Colonel Wen Champasa, deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Ubon Ratchathani Province led Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Kon Tum Provincial Committee of Vietnam and his delegation to observe alternative energy production and development at Ubon Bio Ethanol Plant in Na Di Sub-district, Na Yia District.

The observation today was held ahead of the signing of the Friendship City Agreement between Ubon Ratchathani and Kon Tum, to promote trade, investment and tourism, which will be beneficial for the people of both countries.

The Vietnamese delegation reportedly paid great attention to electricity production at the plant which utilizes waste from processed cassava as raw materials to produce seven-megawatt electricity a month, which is half of the capacity of Sirindhorn dam. Water and ashes left in the electricity production procedure were also changed into fertilizers.

The Ubon Bio Ethanol Company is buying cassava and other crops from both local farmers and Lao villagers. Its 2,061-rai plantations contain mostly cassava which can produce 400,000 litres of bio ethanol per day.


-- NNT 2014-11-21

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Police to defend against torture allegation before NHRC

BANGKOK: -- The National Police Office will fully cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission in the latter’s investigation into an allegation of police torture to extract confession from two suspe cts in the Koh Tao murder case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778073-police-to-defend-against-torture-allegation-before-nhrc/

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FPO projects 4 per cent GDP growth next year
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 21 -- Thailand's Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) projects that the Thai economy will expand by 4 per cent next year due to rising consumption in the private sector and government spending.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778102-fpo-projects-4-per-cent-gdp-growth-next-year/

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PM meets with British Ambassador on bilateral ties



BANGKOK, 21 November 2014 (NNT) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has welcomed the British Ambassador, who paid him a visit at Government House to discuss bilateral cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778103-pm-prayut-meets-with-british-ambassador-mark-kent-on-bilateral-ties/

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NRC updated U.S. charge d'affaires on Thailand's reform

BANGKOK, 21 November 2014 (NNT) - The National Reform Council president and his two deputies discussed Thailand’s political development with the U.S. charge d’affaires during an official meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778104-nrc-updated-us-charge-daffaires-on-thailands-reform/

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Transport Min promises smooth Airport Link services despite maintenance

BANGKOK, 21 November 2014 (NNT) – Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong has affirmed that the Airport Rail Link will operate as usual during its maintenance and that the system’s extension projects are progressing well.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778105-thai-transport-min-promises-smooth-airport-link-services-despite-maintenance/

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ALMOST SIX MONTHS AFTER COUP
Prayut also unhappy about martial law
The Nation

But NCPO chief says strict security law is unfortunately still necessary

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that having the country under martial law almost six months after the coup did not make him happy, but said the measure was necessary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778106-prayut-also-unhappy-about-martial-law/

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Bt1 bn deals 'tied to futsal scandal'
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

AMLO probe found links to well-known families; guilty could face long jail terms

BANGKOK: -- MORE than 10 legal entities, with the help of several individuals, conducted transactions worth more than Bt996 million related to the futsal-pitch corruption scandal, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778107-bt1-bn-deals-tied-to-futsal-scandal/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
'New charter will give us a better future'
Nitipol Kiravanich,
Kris Bhromsuthi
The Nation


Kamnoon

Kamnoon says new constitution's aim is to focus on reforms; insists his anti-Thaksin stance will not affect his neutrality

BANGKOK: -- Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, a key member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), says he is determined to help create a charter that does not just serve this generation but also ensures security and happiness for future generations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778108-interview-new-thai-charter-will-give-us-a-better-future/

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RATTANAKOSIN ISLAND PROJECT
Another 30km of bike lanes next year: BMA
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK CITY HALL is working hard to finish the initial phase of the bicycle lane project at Rattanakosin Island in time for the celebration of His Majesty the King's birthday in two weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778109-another-30km-of-bike-lanes-in-bangkok-next-year-bma/

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Amlo to seize assets of encroachers
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has promised to seize the assets of all businesses found to be encroaching on forest reserves and public land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778110-thailands-amlo-to-seize-assets-of-encroachers/

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SURVEY
Kingdom ranks 34 out of 60 in 'World Talent Report'
Pichaya Changsorn
The Nation
Singapore



BANGKOK: -- IMD, a business school based in Switzerland, yesterday announced its new "IMD World Talent Report" that gauges the "people development" metric, a key factor for national competitiveness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778111-survey-thailand-ranks-34-out-of-60-in-world-talent-report/

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OVERDRIVE
The gold standard bandwagon is rolling - Thailand must climb aboard
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The world is slowly, if almost unnoticeably, moving back to embrace the gold standard. Russia, China and India are leading the drive by accumulating gold reserves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778113-the-gold-standard-bandwagon-is-rolling-thailand-must-climb-aboard/

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EDITORIAL
Repatriating Uighurs could come back to haunt us
The Nation

Beijing's crackdown on the ethnic group is creating anger across the Islamic world; Thailand risks a backlash if it sends refugees back to China

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon is sending out a very disturbing signal about the fate of a group of some 200 Turkic-speaking refugees who were founded huddling in a forest in Songkhla in March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778114-thai-editorial-repatriating-uighurs-could-come-back-to-haunt-us/

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British man dies during Massage at Central Pattaya shop

PATTAYA: -- An 81 year old British National died at a Central Pattaya Massage Shop on Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778115-british-man-dies-during-massage-at-central-pattaya-shop/

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Beautician jumps from Pattaya Highway 7 Bridge after fight with friend



PATTAYA: -- Two Beauticians spent a night out in Pattaya on Wednesday Night but in the early hours of Thursday their night ended in a tragic way with one of them throwing themselves off a bridge on Highway 7 in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778116-beautician-jumps-from-pattaya-highway-7-bridge-after-fight-with-friend/

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'Beach Patrol of Pattaya' Project launched by Police Commander



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday the new Provincial Police Commander was in Pattaya to receive an update on a new project which, it is hoped, will significantly reduce crime along Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778117-beach-patrol-of-pattaya-project-launched-by-police-commander/

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Koh Tao murder suspects detained for another 12 days



BANGKOK: -- The Koh Samui provincial court on Thursday ordered two Myanmar suspects in Koh Tao murder case detained for another 12 days pending more interrogations of the suspects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778118-koh-tao-murder-suspects-detained-for-another-12-days/

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'I Hate Thailand' star comes clean: Video funded by TAT
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The star of the popular feel-too-good video “I Hate Thailand” said this evening the production was indeed funded by Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778120-i-hate-thailand-star-comes-clean-video-funded-by-tat/

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BURNING ISSUE
The Green Revolution that did more harm than good
Supon Thanukid

BANGKOK: -- Let me first clarify that the intention of this column is not to promote or criticise the documentary "Food Inc", which was released four years ago. It is just that I only recently got around to watching the film and discovered that the subject matter is not out-of-date at all. In fact, it very much reflects the current reality in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778122-thai-politics-the-green-revolution-that-did-more-harm-than-good/

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Five Khon Kaen students let free without charge
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Five Khon Kaen University students who were rounded up after surprising Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his first official visit to Khon Kaen with an anti-coup protest - including a three-finger salute - were released yesterday without being charged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778125-five-khon-kaen-students-let-free-without-charge/

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Sentence in body parts case may have been low
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The two American men who tried to courier human body parts out of Thailand were briefly questioned for filing false information about cargo - an offence that carries a maximum sentence of five months, too low for police to make an immediate arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778127-thai-police-sentence-in-body-parts-case-may-have-been-low/

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Obama offer to 5m illegal migrants

WASHINGTON: -- Nearly five million people living illegally in the US can escape deportation under sweeping changes to the US immigration system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778128-obama-offer-to-5m-illegal-migrants/

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Duchess of Alba: Spain's richest aristocrat dies aged 88

(BBC) The Duchess of Alba, Spain's richest woman and one its most eccentric figures, has died aged 88 in Seville.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778129-duchess-of-alba-spains-richest-aristocrat-dies-aged-88/

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Julian Assange sex case: Swedish court upholds warrant

(BBC) Swedish appeal court has upheld an arrest warrant against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, wanted for questioning over sexual assault claims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778130-julian-assange-sex-case-swedish-court-upholds-warrant/

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Thailand's first ever celebration on World Prematurity Day

BANGKOK, 21 November 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi, the Royal Consort to HRH the Crown Prince, yesterday morning (Nov 20) presided over the opening of an event to celebrate the “World Prematurity Day : 17 November 2014”, at the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall in Pathumwan District, Bangkok.

The celebration is being organized from 20 – 23 November by the Thai Maternal and Child Health Network under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Srirasmi, the Ministry of Public Health, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the World Health Organization and private sector units.

The objective is to raise public awareness of the serious issues faced by preterm babies and their families. This is the first year that Thailand has joined world nations in the celebrations. The event also complements Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi’s efforts to help infants born premature and their mothers in all parts of the country, which have been launched through the Thai Maternal and Child Health Network.

The celebration features, among other activities, talks by mothers who had given birth prematurely and wish to share their experiences with others. The event is also joined by leading hospitals in Bangkok which have put up booths to display knowledge about how to cope with prematurity.


-- NNT 2014-11-21

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Trip Advisor bad review 'fine' to be refunded by Blackpool hotel

(BBC) A hotel that "fined" a couple £100 who described it as a "rotten, stinking hovel" will refund the money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778153-uk-trip-advisor-bad-review-fine-to-be-refunded-by-blackpool-hotel/

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Media must reports news in a straightforward manner which does distort facts, or stir conflicts in society, NCPO said. /The Nation

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21st Music in the Garden

BANGKOK, 21 Nov 2014, (NNT) - In its bid to promote unity and harmony in the country, the Public Relations Department (PRD) yesterday held its 21st and final ‘Music in the Garden’ at PRD Auditorium at Soi Ari from 4.00-8.00 p.m.

This week’s concert was held under the theme ‘Conveying Love’. The event featured great guest singers as well as performers from the PRD band.

The campaigns have been well received by the public from the very beginning; the same can also be said about yesterday’s event where a large crowd could be seen fast filling up the auditorium to enjoy wonderful music.


-- NNT 2014-11-21

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AoT invests Bt93 billion upgrading three airports
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 21 -- Transport Minister Prajin Juntong supports the plan of Airports of Thailand (AoT) to spend Bt93 billion on improving Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports to serve increasing traffic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778156-aot-invests-bt93-billion-upgrading-suvarnabhumi-don-mueang-and-phuket-airports/