Thailand Live Monday 24 Nov 2014

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Two new ministers take oath before the King

BANGKOK, 24 November 2014 (NNT) - On Sunday, at 4.52 p.m., His Majesty the King granted an audience to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha who led two newly appointed members of the Cabinet to give an oath before assuming their posts, at the Her Royal highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra’s Meeting Room, on the 14th floor of Siriraj Hospital.

The two ministers were Mr. Wisut Srisuphan, Deputy Minister of Finance and Mr. Amnuay Patisae, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Mr. Ampon Kiti-ampon, the Secretary General of the Cabinet was also present at the ceremony.


-- NNT 2014-11-24

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Academics suggest better alcohol sales laws

CHIANGMAI, 24 Nov 2014 (NNT) – Academics have suggested the government improve laws concerning alcohol sales following a study which shows that liquor shops near education institutes are mushrooming.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778836-chiang-mai-academics-suggest-better-alcohol-sales-laws/

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Top police face LM charges
The Nation


Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan

BANGKOK: -- THE SUSPENDED COMMANDER of the Central Investigation Bureau, Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan, and his deputy Maj-General Kowit Wongrungroj, who have been accused of lese majeste, have confessed to their crimes, Royal Thai Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri said yesterday.

These cases would be clarified further and in greater detail at a press conference, said Prawut, who is also an assistant national police chief.

Senior police have rarely been charged with lese majeste.

Three civilians accused of similar crimes were on the run and were being pursued by police, he said.

As for the death of Pol Colonel Akkharawut Limrat, Prawut said a death certificate issued by coroners on Friday said he suffered a broken spine at chest level, which was caused by a fall from a high position.

He said Akkharawut, who was transferred from a prominent position along with Pongpat, had earlier attempted suicide on three occasions after his transfer.

Akkharawut was cooperative and gave useful information to police, he said.

"After giving his statements, he jumped off a building to kill himself out of distress and fear for prosecution, he said, adding that the colonel left a suicide note. Pongpat, his deputy Maj-General Kowit Wongrungroj and Akkharawut were transferred to inactive posts in an urgent transfer order issued late at night on November 11.

A Royal Thai Police notice issued on Friday details their alleged crimes and lists the names of eight more people - five police officers and the three civilians. Akkharawut had not been charged with any offence and his death was made known via social media posts yesterday.

Crime Suppression Division commander Chaithat Bunkham was transferred on November 13 but he was not on the notice, which comprises 10 people in total.

Another transfer order issued on November 14 resulted in a police commander being assigned to replace Colonel Watcharaphol Thongluan, commander of the CSD's Subdivision 5. Watcharaphol is also not on the notice.

The other officers named on the list are Marine Police commander Maj-General Bunsueb Phrai-thuen, Samut Sakhon immigration police chief Colonel Kowit Muangnual, Snr Sgt Major Surasak Jan-ngoa and Snr Sgt Major Chattrin Laothong.

The three civilians have been identified as Sudathip Muangnual, Sawong Mungthiang, both of whom are women, and Rerngsak Saknarongdej.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Top-police-face-LM-charges-30248413.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-24

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6 MONTHS AFTER THE COUP
Ringing endorsement for Prayut government from the business sector
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE BUSINESS SECTOR has given the Prayut government a ringing endorsement for its economic performance over the six months since the May 22 coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778837-ringing-endorsement-for-prayut-government-from-the-business-sector/

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6 MONTHS AFTER THE COUP
Cool response to push for support abroad
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL COUNCIL for Peace and Order's campaign over the past six months to gain international acceptance of the May 22 coup and the military-dominant government has been anything but successful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778839-6-month-after-the-coup-cool-response-to-push-for-thai-govt-support-abroad/

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6 MONTHS AFTER THE COUP
Moves against land encroachers 'flawed'
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

NHRC SAYS RIGHTS TO COMMUNITY LAND AREAS IGNORED; 'MOST VICTIMS POOR'

BANGKOK: -- AFTER SIX MONTHS in power, the National Council for Peace and Order has nothing to boast about in regard to its promise to solve land and natural resource problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778840-ncpos-moves-against-land-encroachers-flawed/

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6 MONTHS AFTER THE COUP
Mixed feelings over junta's start
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BUSINESS HAPPY BUT FEARS VOICED THAT REFORM PROCESS IS BEING STIFLED BY MARTIAL LAW AND RIGHTS BEING TRAMPLED ON

BANGKOK: -- SIX MONTHS after the coup on May 22 some positive changes have been noticed, although critics and observers say the military leaders have not done enough to promote an atmosphere suitable for national reform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778841-mixed-feelings-over-thai-govts-start/

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Thailand key to Hitachi's Asean
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation, Singapore


Toshiaki Higashihara, second from right, president and chief operating officer of Hitachi, speaks to Asean media at the Hitachi Innovation Forum held last week in Singapore.

BANGKOK: -- Hitachi, a Japan-based multinational conglomerate, is relying on Thailand as its regional hub for the development of logistics and supply-chain networks for the Greater Mekong Subregion, said president and chief operating officer Toshiaki Higashihara.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778842-thailand-key-to-hitachis-asean/

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ECONOMIC
Pridiyathorn predicts at least 4% growth in 2015
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula believes the economy will grow at least 4 per cent next year, following the government's investment plans to stimulate growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778843-thai-economy-pridiyathorn-predicts-at-least-4-percent-growth-in-2015/

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LOOTED THAI ARTIFACTS
Heritage comes home
Phatarawadee Phataranawik
The Nation


Thai and US officers look at the returned artifacts.

More than 500 looted artefacts from prehistoric archaeological sites around Thailand are returned by the US Government

BANGKOK: -- For years, more than 500 artefacts including pottery, bronze tools, sandstone moulds and glass ornaments, have been offering a visual but illegal treat to visitors at the Bowers Museum in Santa Anna, California.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778844-looted-thai-artifacts-heritage-comes-home/

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Insurgents in Thailand's deep South 'ruled by heart, not head'
Don Pathan
Special to The Nation
YALA


A forensic expert inspects a house after government forces shot and killed suspected insurgents during a raid at the house in southern Pattani province earlier this month. Five suspected insurgents surrendered and two more were shot dead

Fresh wave of attacks: insurgency leaders worried emotion has got the better of their fighters

YALA: -- A hand-written note left at the crime scene where school teacher Issara Chairitchok was shot dead reflects the growing fear among the local population in Thailand's southernmost provinces - that more bad things are coming.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778846-insurgents-in-thailands-deep-south-ruled-by-heart-not-head/

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Polish man accused of auto theft from South Pattaya Bike Rental Shop



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday Police were alerted to a suspected case of auto-theft from a Bike Rental Shop in South Pattaya and the suspect was thought to be a foreign national.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778847-polish-man-accused-of-auto-theft-from-south-pattaya-bike-rental-shop/

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South Pattaya Late Night Restaurants raided by District Licensing Officers



PATTAYA: -- In response to complaints from local residents in the South Pattaya area, who are being disturbed by local restaurants which open all night and play loud music until Dawn, a raid of the restaurants, located on the South Pattaya Road, took place over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778848-south-pattaya-late-night-restaurants-raided-by-district-licensing-officers/

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NACC seeks life ban for false asset filings
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission is seeking a lifetime - instead of a five-year - ban for politicians filing a false financial declaration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778850-thailands-nacc-seeks-life-ban-for-false-asset-filings/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Asean-Australia ties at 40: rising strategic partners
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

Australia has been trying to place Asean on the central stage of its foreign policy for the past four decades

BANGKOK: -- The first two decades were productive and meaningful because of the political transformation taking place in the region after the end of the Cold War. Canberra fittingly played the role of an effective mediator and peacemaker in Cambodia's 13-year civil war. Only Australia and selective Asean members — Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore — worked together to help freshly independent East Timor find its feet. Asean was not yet ready to render its flag for such a common endeavour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778851-asean-australia-ties-at-40-rising-strategic-partners/

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NBTC to unveil plan to auction 'golden' phone numbers
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will dust off its plan to auction "golden" mobile phone numbers in a move that is expected to generate Bt1 billion for the state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778852-thailands-nbtc-to-unveil-plan-to-auction-golden-phone-numbers/

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Cleveland police shoot dead boy, 12, carrying fake gun

(BBC) A 12-year-old boy has been shot dead by police in the US city of Cleveland, after brandishing what turned out to be a fake gun in a playground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778853-us-cleveland-police-shoot-dead-boy-12-carrying-fake-gun/

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Bomber 'kills 45' at Afghanistan volleyball match

(BBC) A suicide bomber has killed at least 45 people at a volleyball tournament in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778854-bomber-kills-45-at-afghanistan-volleyball-match/

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Hillary Clinton would be great president: Barack Obama

WASHINGTON: -- Hillary Clinton would be a "great president" if she decided to run for the White House in 2016, President Barack Obama has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778855-hillary-clinton-would-be-great-president-barack-obama/

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'Billions' at CIB chief's home
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have found billions of baht worth of assets at the home of Central Investigation Bureau commander Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan, who has been suspended from service after being charged with several crimes, including lese majeste, a police source said late yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778868-billions-of-baht-worth-of-assets-found-at-thai-cib-chiefs-home/

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Five Khon Kaen police officers transferred following student protest

BANGKOK: -- Five senior police officers of the Khon Kaen Muang district station were transferred to inactive positions at the Provincial Police Region 4 for failing to prevent a protest by student activities against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

They are Pol Col Suphakorn Kamsingnok, deputy Khon Kaen police chief and acting Muang police station chief, Pol Col Pongrit Kongsirisombat, Pol Lt Col Anusak Sakdawatcharanon, Pol Maj Jirattikul Jaraskamolpong, and Pol Maj Chatchai Timnikul.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Five-Khon-Kaen-police-officers-transferred-followi-30248419.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-24

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Koh Tao's dark side: dangers of island where Britons were murdered
Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed in Koh Tao, where fear of mafia involvement hides under paradisical façade
Peter Walker in Koh Tao
The Guardian

KOH TAO: -- Six weeks on, there is little to mark the spot on the idyllic rocky beach inlet on Koh Tao where Hannah Witheridge and David Miller met such brutal deaths; just two tiny piles of stones separated by a line of twigs in the sand, someone’s modest, anonymous, temporary memorial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778875-koh-taos-dark-side-dangers-of-island-where-britons-were-murdered/

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NLA to convene on impeachment cases of Yingluck, Somsak and Nikom this week

BANGKOK, 24 Nov 2014, (NNT) - A hearing on the impeachment cases of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, former Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont, and former Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatchapanich will be held on Thursday and Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778878-nla-to-convene-on-impeachment-cases-of-yingluck-somsak-and-nikom-this-week/

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Deputy PM Prawit denies increased anti-NCPO momentum; believes there's a motive behind university students' move against government /MCOT

2 wounded in bomb ambush of Army Ranger teacher protection unit in Pattani's Kapho district /MCOT

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4.4 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar rattles Chiang Rai province

BANGKOK, 24 November 2014 (NNT) - An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale has erupted in the Tachilek town of Myanmar yesterday at 6:49 p.m., sending aftershocks traveling to Chiang Rai province of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778880-44-magnitude-earthquake-in-myanmar-rattles-chiang-rai-province/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,587.35, gainss 8.15 points /MCOT

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US shopping malls: Not interested in Arabic-speaking tourists?

(eTN) America’s Premier Shopping Places represents the second largest mall operator in the United States and is paid to promote exports to the US in sending tourist shoppers to member stores and malls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778881-us-shopping-malls-not-interested-in-arabic-speaking-tourists/

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Three Chinese nationals arrested over 'staggering' crystal meth haul in Jakarta



BANGKOK: -- Indonesian authorities arrested three Chinese nationals and seized 157kg of crystal methamphetamine in a major drug bust in Pluit, North Jakarta, on the weekend, reported the Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778882-three-chinese-nationals-arrested-over-staggering-crystal-meth-haul-in-jakarta/

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Seven police officers, civilian admit guilt
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Nov 24 -- Seven policemen and a civilian have admitted their guilt in charges lodged against them by national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung and approved by the Criminal Court, said assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Pravut Thawornsiri on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778883-seven-thai-police-officers-civilian-admit-guilt/

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Floods recede in Thailand's deep South; cold envelopes North
By Digital Content



SONGKHLA, Nov 24 -- Flooding in Thailand's deep south has started to recede after rain stopped, even as several popular tourist destinations in the North are packed with tourists attracted by the chilly weather.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778885-floods-recede-in-thailands-deep-south;-cold-envelopes-north/