Thailand Live Wednesday 26 Nov 2014

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PM orders adjustment of corrective strategy in the South to suit public needs

BANGKOK, 26 November 2014 (NNT) - Anusit Kunakorn, Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC) said after the Cabinet meeting today that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha requested all units dealing with issues in the Deep South to adjust their operations to correspond to the needs of people in the area.

This includes the adjustment of budget for the best interest of the public. He also confirmed that the integration of cooperation of various units is running smoothly because of the clear framework set by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Anusit further stated about southern peace talks that at this moment it is still unclear whom will be assigned the responsibilities, but the Prime Minister will definitely officially appoint a team before his visit to Malaysia. At this initial stage, the team will comprise of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), NSC, experts, and advisors as seen suitable by the Prime Minister.


-- NNT 2014-11-26

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Bangkok Post Reporter Retracts Interview With Yingluck
By Khaosod English


Then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra shops for goods at a stall near the Office of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, 1 May 2014.

BANGKOK - The Bangkok Post has pulled an article in which a reporter claimed to have interviewed former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779395-bangkok-post-reporter-retracts-interview-with-yingluck/

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Thai PM threatens to bar Yingluck from travelling abroad

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha Tuesday threatened to bar ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra from travelling abroad, a day after the publication of her first media interview since May's coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779335-thai-pm-threatens-to-bar-yingluck-from-travelling-abroad/

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CORRUPTION SCANDAL
Hidden treasures found
THE NATION



Police find Bt2-bn in cash, valuables in secret vaults in 11 of Pongpat's homes; other items in Kowit, Akkharawut's houses

BANGKOK: -- IN A SERIES of raids last week, police discovered secret underground vaults at the home of former crimebuster Pongpat Chayaphan containing assets worth more than Bt2 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779396-corruption-scandal-police-find-bt2-bn-in-cash-valuables-in-secret-vaults-in-11-of-pongpats-homes/

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Cabinet approves milk price hikes

BANGKOK, 25 November 2014 (NNT) - The Cabinet has agreed to increase the buying price of cow’s milk from 18 baht to 19 baht and the median price of school milk by 0.21 baht/carton. The price increase of school milk will be effective in the second semester of 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779397-thai-cabinet-approves-milk-price-hikes/

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RECONCILIATION
Give amnesty to protesters, not leaders: big parties
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

Nipit

Heads of parties and colour groups 'happy to fight any charges in court'

BANGKOK: -- Members of the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties insisted yesterday that an amnesty bill should cover only ordinary protesters - not the leaders of political groups, parties or colour-coded groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779399-give-thai-amnesty-to-protesters-not-leaders-big-parties/

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National park encroachers face seizures
Prasit Tangprasert,
Sittichai Sikhawat
The Nation

AMLO to seize assets of over 44 illegal resort operators in Wang Nam Kheow

BANGKOK: -- OWNERS OF resorts operating illegally in national parks will face the seizure of their assets, Royal Forest Department's (RFD) chief Theerapat Prayunrasiddhi announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779400-thai-national-park-encroachers-face-seizures/

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Survey to seek better water access, alternatives to dam at Mae Wong
Wasu Vipoosanapat
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE Department of Water Resources (DWR) has begun a survey of water sources in Nakhon Sawan's Lad Yao district, to investigate canal and lake dredging to be implemented in 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779401-survey-to-seek-better-water-access-alternatives-to-dam-at-mae-wong/

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LABOUR UNION
Union wants Labour Ministry to keep out foreign helicopter pilots
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION


Saran

BANGKOK: -- The Helicopter Pilot Labour Union is seeking help from the Labour Ministry to revise the Alien Working Act to preserve jobs for locals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779402-union-wants-thai-labour-ministry-to-keep-out-foreign-helicopter-pilots/

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CABINET
Dual-track deal with China okayed
Erich Parpart
The Nation


General Prayut Chan-o-cha

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft memorandum of under-standing (MoU) with the Chinese government to construct double-track railroads between major logistics centres in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779404-thai-cabinet-approves-dual-track-deal-with-china/

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Honest Taxi Driver returns 'lost' valuables to British Tourist in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 51 year old British Tourist was extremely grateful to a Bangkok Taxi Driver on Tuesday, when he returned a bag full of money and other valuables to him, which he had earlier left inside his Taxi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779405-honest-taxi-driver-returns-lost-valuables-to-british-tourist-in-pattaya/

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Russian collapses and dies inside South Pattaya Convenience Store

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday, Police and medics were called to a 7-Eleven Store in South Pattaya following reports of a Russian who had collapsed and died inside the 24 hour convenience store.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779406-russian-collapses-and-dies-inside-south-pattaya-convenience-store/

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Woman dies after car plunges from car park to the ground



BANGKOK: -- A woman was killed when her Honda Civic sedan plunged from the seventh floor of the parking lot of The Mall Bangkapi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779408-bangkok-woman-dies-after-car-plunges-from-car-park-to-the-ground/

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PM Prayut asks public not to assume all police to be crooked



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said the arrest of several high ranking police officers would serve as catalyst to the reform of the Royal Thai Police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779409-pm-prayut-asks-public-not-to-assume-all-police-to-be-crooked/

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Phuket: Khao Lak elephant camp raided, croc seized
Nattha Thepbamrung


Santi Pawai (second from left) discusses paperwork with the owner of the camp (in orange shirt).

PHANG NGA: -- Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism & Sports Phuket office, visited Khaolak Elephant Camp yesterday (November 24) following complaints from tourists that the camp was keeping a gibbon – a protected species – and a crocodile.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779410-phuket-khao-lak-elephant-camp-raided-croc-seized/

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Phuket mayor leaps into action over underage prostitutes
Nattha Thepbamrung


Mayor Arun Soros (left). TPN file photo

PHUKET: -- Following the publication last Friday (November 21) in The Phuket News of an investigation into underage prostitution among Rawai’s Sea Gypsies, Rawai Mayor Arun Soros has leapt into action.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779411-phuket-mayor-leaps-into-action-over-underage-prostitutes/

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Tourism Authority says 'I Hate Thailand' a big success
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has acknowledged being behind the widely shared “I Hate Thailand” video recently released, describing it as part of an “unbranded” campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779413-tourism-authority-says-i-hate-thailand-a-big-success/

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Army chief says majority supports govt; student critics are "same old faces"
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Chief and Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr said more people support the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) than those who oppose it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779414-thai-army-chief-says-majority-supports-govt;-student-critics-are-same-old-faces/

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BURNING ISSUE
Student protest will grow unless their voices are heard
Supalak Ganjanakhundee

BANGKOK: -- Thai students are now standing at the gate of opportunity to restore their movements for democracy after a number of colleagues were summoned, arrested and detained by the junta to "correct" their pro-democracy attitudes.

Student struggles for democracy sharply declined after the May 1992 uprising to topple the military backed government of General Suchinda Kraprayoon. On that occasion, students under the umbrella of the Student Federation of Thailand (SFT), together with the urban middle class - mostly from the October 1973 generation - then joined street demonstrations to call for real democracy.

The students and the May 1992 movement managed to push politics out of military control and helped to get elected governments installed, until the 2006 coup which ended the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

Thai students became confused over their 'roles' during the Thaksin regime. Most ignored politics, some believing that the elected government was democratic enough for Thailand, while many joined the bandwagon of a conservative elite to restore a military role and later to bring Thaksin down.

Leaders of the Student Federation of Thailand took the stage with the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy, calling for a military coup to topple what they dubbed Thaksin's corrupt regime. The SFT has lost its student leadership legitimacy since then, as many students felt uncomfortable with the overthrow of an elected government. Many sets of new leaders in the SFT failed in attempts to restore their legitimacy as pro-democracy student activists.

After the coup in 2006, the student movement became disorganised and invisible, while many of its members have been soul-searching to reposition themselves in the tough political struggle over the past years. Many refrained from joining any sides, no matter which colour they declared themselves to be. Some student groups joined the pro-poor red shirts, while many others joined the elitism of the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

Many students, notably from Chulalongkorn and Mahidol universities, followed their teachers and masters to join the counter-democracy movement calling for military intervention in the politics.

However, other groups of students, from Thammasat, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai universities, began to bolster their pro-democracy ideals again as they saw their lecturers and academics parade in support of the military coup to topple the elected government.

A group from Thammasat strongly opposed their rector and some lecturers who took political positions in the military regime as members of the National Legislative Assembly and the National Reform Council. Their activities attracted public and junta attention from time to time, but still in a low-key way.

The most noticeable student activity took place in Khon Kaen when five

student activists performed three finger gestures in front of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his first trip to the Northeast. The group is no new face among activists, but has belonged to movements in support of the poor in the region for years. Calling themselves the Dao Din, they had disassociated from any political organisation but championed for the poor affected by develop?ment projects and investment.

The three-finger salute was used for the first time in Bangkok a few days after the May 22 coup by a group of activists opposed to the takeover. The symbol, as seen in the movie 'The Hunger Games', could be interpreted in many ways - but it was catchy among youngsters and students who wanted to show their disagreement with the coup.

A group of Thammasat students exploited the new release of 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part I' movie last week to mobilise support for their colleagues in the campus, booking 160 seats at a theatre in the capital. The authorities then helped to ignite their disapproval of the military by forcing the film off the screen last Thursday. Three students from other universities were arrested in Siam Paragon for showing the three fingers.

It's unlikely the junta understands that its tough action against student activists will stimulate even greater growth of a student movement. And as suppression continues, all students will unite.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Student-protest-will-grow-unless-their-voices-are--30248550.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-26

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Ferguson shooting: More than 2,200 National Guard troops sent in

(BBC) The US state of Missouri has ordered more troops to the Ferguson area to quell unrest after a policeman was cleared over Michael Brown's killing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779415-ferguson-shooting-more-than-2200-national-guard-troops-sent-in/

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Thieves steal Holocaust victims' shoes at Polish museum

(BBC) Eight shoes belonging to Jewish Holocaust victims have been stolen from a former concentration camp in Poland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779418-thieves-steal-holocaust-victims-shoes-at-polish-majdanek-museum/

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Military meets locals on reclaiming encroached Huy Cot Forest Reserve Area

UTHAI THANI, 26 Nov 2014, (NNT) - The military and officials from Uthai Thani have agreed to allow 69 forest encroachers in Huy Cot ( ห้วยคต ) to stay in the area for another 3 years, under the condition that they participate in a reforestation campaign.

The agreement was made during yesterday’s meeting between the officials and the 69 locals and Karen tribe members who have encroached on the Huy Cot forest reserve area.

Attending the meeting were Colonel Pisan Nakpajol, the commander of the military in Uthai Thani, Colonel Anuson Thoopthong, the province’s Internal Security Operations Command Deputy Director, and Nakhonsawan provincial administration officials as well as the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The meeting concluded that all the 69 individuals, who had illegally occupied the area of Huy Cot forest reserve for their personal use, would be allowed to stay in the area for the next 3 years under one condition: They must plant trees in the encroached areas during the time of their occupation.

Official said the encrachers would be asked to vacate the area immediately if they violated the agreement.


-- NNT 2014-11-26

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Thai PM’s Malaysia visit schedule unchanged
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 26 -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will pay an official visit to Malaysia on Monday and is expected to appoint Thailand's negotiation team to renew peace talks with southern insurgents before he leaves for Kuala Lumpur.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779440-thai-pms-malaysia-visit-schedule-unchanged/

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UPDATE:

PDRC made its suggestion on the new charter

BANGKOK, 26 Nov 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Council (PDRC) yesterday met with the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), giving its suggestions on what should be included in the new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779259-pdrc-proposes-annulment-of-party-proportional-election-method/?p=8722553#entry8722553

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UPDATE:

Taxi driver returns cash over Bt100,000 to British tourist

PATTAYA: -- A taxi driver returned a bag containing Thai and foreign bank notes worth over Bt100,000 and other valuables to a British tourist Tuesday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779405-honest-taxi-driver-returns-lost-valuables-to-british-tourist-in-pattaya/?p=8722567#entry8722567

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Man loses control of vehicle after arguing with passenger in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


A vehicle crashed into restaurants on the street after the driver lost control.

PHUKET: -- A 30-year-old man crashed into some restaurants and a light pole yesterday (November 25) after he lost control of his vehicle, injuring the female passenger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779452-man-loses-control-of-vehicle-after-arguing-with-passenger-in-phuket/

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Phuket Airport bus to extend service to Kata 'soon'
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The buses originally had Patong, Karon and Kata as destinations but local taxi drivers threatened violence. Phuket News file photo

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Provincial Land Transportation Office (PLTO) is expected to give its blessing soon for an extension of the current airport-Patong bus service to Karon and Kata.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779453-phuket-airport-bus-to-extend-service-to-kata-soon/

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Indian warship arrives in Phuket for exercises
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The INS Baratang arrives in Phuket. Photo Royal Thai Navy

PHUKET: -- An Indian Navy patrol vessel, the INS Baratang arrived in Phuket recently for 10 days of joint exercises with a Royal Thai Navy equivalent, the RTNS Thayanchon and two Dornier DO-228 reconnaissance aircraft, one from each side.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779475-indian-warship-arrives-in-phuket-for-exercises/

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UPDATE:

PM Prayut critical of Ms Yingluck’s criticism

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinted yesterday that the former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra might be barred from leaving abroad, or even had her financial transactions halted if she continued giving political comments which could led to political unrest in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779335-thai-pm-threatens-to-bar-yingluck-from-travelling-abroad/page-4?p=8722898#entry8722898

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New species of pomelo discovered in Phrae province

PHRAE, 26 November 2014 (NNT) - Agricultural experts have headed down to Phrae province to study a new kind of pomelo that has a coconut-like fragrance. The group is ready to name it the “Viroon Pomelo” after the orchard owner.

According to Mr. Pansak Kaenhom, a researcher at the Department of Agriculture, the pomelo is believed to be an indigenous fruit species that has evolved into a different kind of pomelo as a result of cross-breeding. The pomelo has been discovered inside the orchard of Mr. Viroon Fanfuen, who lives in Baan Nam Jom Village in Cho Hae subdistrict, Phrae province.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Agricultural Research and Development Center in Phrae, Mr. Sakol Meesuk, has made some suggestions to the orchard owner. He recommended good pruning of the tree branches to allow enough sunlight and the tree to fruit. He also urged the orchard owner to cooperate with the Department in developing the plant as one of the outstanding products of the province.


-- NNT 2014-11-26