Thailand Live Saturday 22 Nov 2014

[Lite Beer]

Friends bid to repatriate body of killed Briton Sam Austin

BANGKOK: -- Sam Austin went to Thailand in October to start a new life

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778511-friends-bid-to-repatriate-body-of-killed-briton-sam-austin/

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Thousands flock to see first frost flowers on Doi Inthanon

CHIANG MAI: -- Dropping temperatures on Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon, in Chiang Mai turned grasses and tree leaves into flower frosts and attracted several thousands of tourists flocking to see the natural phenomenon this morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778519-thousands-flock-to-see-first-frost-flowers-on-doi-inthanon/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket authorities ‘doing nothing about jet-ski rips offs’ – Hon Con
Alasdair Forbes

Martin Carpenter (Phuket News file photo)

PHUKET: There is no evidence that the powers that be in Phuket are taking any steps to rein in the activities of the island’s jet-ski mafia, Britain’s Honorary Consul, Martin Carpenter, said yesterday evening (November 21).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778523-phuket-authorities-doing-nothing-about-jet-ski-rips-offs-hon-con/

[Lite Beer]

Anti-military junta surfaces in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: -- Anti-military coup surfaced Saturday morning in Chiang Rai province with unknown number of protesters spraying the road in front of an army base with paints opposing the military junta.

Paints were also sprayed and banners were put up in front of Mae Fah Luang university opposing the military junta. Some banners displayed hands raised with three fingers, a symbolic gesture against the military coup.

Soldiers and police immediately erased the paints which were sprayed in seven locations around the army camp, and collected all the banners away to dispose of and as evidence to look for the people responsible.

The surface of the anti military coup came as Prime Minister Gen Prayut was scheduled to visit Chiang Rai and preside over the meeting of provincial chamber of Commerce today.

However the prime minister called off his visit and designated Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda to preside over the meeting instead.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/anti-military-junta-surfaces-chiang-rai

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-22

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Ratchaprasong and Pratunam areas to be briefly car-free Nov. 23

BANGKOK, 22 Nov 2014 (NNT) – Police will temporarily bar traffic from Ratchaprasong Intersection to Pratunam Intersection tomorrow morning in preparation for the major merit-making activity.

Starting from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on November 23, roads around the Ratchaprasong intersection and the Pratunam intersection will be converted into a pedestrian zone, as the outdoor area in front of Central World shopping center on Ratchadamri Road will serve as the location for tomorrow’s alms offering activity for 10,000 Buddhist monks.

The activity is part of the nationwide alms-giving for two million Buddhist monks. This campaign is aimed at providing assistance to Buddhist monks in 323 temples in the four southernmost provinces.

Motorists should avoid traffic on Ploenchit Road, Ratchadamri Road, Rama I Road, Ratchaprarop Road, Phetchaburi Road. People wishing to participate in the event should opt for BTS service.

-- NNT 2014-11-22

[Lite Beer]

Prayut tells media press freedom has its limit

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha warned opponents to stop inciting rifts, and media members not to over exercise their freedom as it could do more harm than good to the country.

“I would like members of the media no matter they be station owners, editors, reporters, news anchors, publishers to understand the current situation. If you enjoy press freedom with no boundary, it would do more harm than good for the country,” he said.

His warning was repeated again when he spoke to the people during his weekly “Returning Happiness to the People” TV programme on Friday night.

In slightly over an hour address, Gen Prayut began by expressing his condolences for the nine army officers died in helicopter crash in Phayao province

He turned to his government’s reform effort with concern that it still encountered obstacles at different levels.

One obstacle he saw was news media reporting..

He then warned that “freedom of the press” had its limits, citing some social media commentary were hurting the cause of reconciliation.

He asked that media members express their views with regard to appropriateness.

Input was welcomed, but that they must not “propagate new conflicts and deepen old wounds in the society to the point that the government is unable to work for the public, he said.

He said people should refrain from being quick to judge or take action purely based on emotions or feelings, otherwise such action would bring about more disputes.

But he said it was regrettable that there were still social media posts aimed at inciting hatred and conflicts, most of them with false content and hidden agendas.

But he assured that the government and the military junta have never thought of using force toward the press, but all they were asking for is your cooperation and respect for the law.

Making groundless accusations is counterproductive and there are special laws in effect now.

Gen Prayut said the media can support national reform by adhering to the principle of reporting factual news, and then he would be happy to listen to every media member.

But they must refrain from instigating further hatred within the society, he said

Discussing protests against the coup and the junta, Gen Prayut said he was not upset by them but would ask for peace among them to move this country in a prosperous direction.

He said. “We will never use force against you, so there is no need for you to be violent. Thailand today needs peace and unity as to create national stability.

“If you dislike or disagree with something please let me know and I will look into it immediately,” he pledged.

On economic issues, the premier reiterated plans to improve the quality of lives of Thai people, get the country ready for the integrated Asean Economic Community next year, support Thai businesses in terms of technology and new market penetration, promote trade and investment from abroad, and help farmers in a sustainable manner.

He said the government would do its best to minimise the impact of change on the lives of “honest” citizens during the adjustment and reform process. There are always winners and losers when there are changes, he said, and the government would have to come up with measures to care for the afflicted parties.

“Our standpoint is to maintain righteousness and to protect the interests of the public,” the prime minister said.

Gen Prayut said officials were working around the clock to ease people’s hardships.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-tells-media-press-freedom-limit

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-22

[Lite Beer]

Positive reception to idea of prisoners working in fishing industry
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Nov 2 -- An idea raised by Labour Minister Gen Surasak Karnjanarat to have recently released prisoners or those to be soon released work in the fishing industry is a fine idea, said Permanent Secretary for Justice Pol Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit on Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778541-positive-reception-to-idea-of-prisoners-working-in-fishing-industry/

[Lite Beer]

NLA schedules impeachment trials on November 27, 28

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has officially announced two meetings to deliberate two impeachment cases separately against two former House and Senate speakers, and former prime minister on November 27 and 28.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778542-nla-schedules-impeachment-trials-on-november-27-28/

[Lite Beer]

NLA holds meeting with democratic networks/activists to gauge their opinions on constitution

BANGKOK, 22 November 2014 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) held a meeting with members of the public to gather their opinions and suggestions about the drafting of the new constitution.

The NLA First Vice-President Surachai Liengboonlertchai told the gathering of democratic network representatives and political and social activists that data and information gathered would be used in the country’s reform and constitution drafting. He said that NLA members have been given a chance to work as people’s representatives and are therefore obliged to listen to public opinions. He indicated that from now on the NLA would conduct similar meetings continuously until the drafting of the constitution is complete, which is expected around mid-April 2015.

Surachai opined on this occasion that Thailand’s problems have been accumulated for a long time without a right solution by the past administrations, thus giving rise to serious conflicts. However, in his opinion, the problems could be overcome by public participation and support.

Also, he emphasized that people-based democracy must be able to grow sustainably by itself without a monopoly by any influential groups or capitalists. The democracy needs not only a fair election but also a check-and-balance power in which people are able to impeach corrupt politicians or official position holders, Surachai added.

-- NNT 2014-11-22

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Thaivisa.com agrees sponsorship deal with Pattaya City F.C

BANGKOK:-- Thaivisa.com is pleased to announce it has agreed to be one of the new shirt sponsors for Pattaya City Football Club.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778540-thaivisacom-agrees-sponsorship-deal-with-pattaya-city-fc/

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City planning law in special economic zones to take a year
By Digital Content

CHIANG RAI, Nov 22 -- Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda said Saturday that his ministry is accelerating consideration of a new city planning law for five special economic zones in Thailand’s border areas and it would take about a year for the new law to complete.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778558-city-planning-law-in-special-economic-zones-to-take-a-year/

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Former CSD crime buster dies in unexplained circumstances

BANGKOK: -- A former Crime Suppression Division (CSD) senior officer who was transferred to inactive position in the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre early this month has died from fractured spine bones after falling from high ground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778618-former-csd-crime-buster-dies-in-unexplained-circumstances/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 23 Nov 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778637-thailand-live-sunday-23-nov-2014/