Thailand Live Friday 28 Nov 2014

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HM the Queen encourages ‘sea farm’ practice

PHETCHABURI, 28 November 2014 (NNT) - A ‘sea farm’ project is being developed in the coastal province of Phetchaburi under the initiative of Her Majesty the Queen to solve the problem of dwindling marine resources.

Privy Councilor Palakorn Suwannarat yesterday led his team to monitor the progress of the demonstration farm in Tambon Bang Kaeo, Ban Laem District, where Her Majesty has granted a land piece of 82 rai donated to her by a charitable proprietor, for use as the demonstration site of the project.

The sea farm under the royal initiative is scheduled to be operational during 2015 to 2017, in order to demonstrate to interested farmers how to raise aquatic animals by using zero-waste closed-farm techniques. It is intended to be the prototype of sustainable marine farming to be developed in other parts of Thailand. According to the Privy Councilor, Her Majesty the Queen wished the ‘sea farm’ would be an alternative way to catching marine animals in the high sea – which is the fuel-wasting practice that also damages the environment.


-- NNT 2014-11-28

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UPDATE:

Elections 'unlikely before 2016'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779737-thai-elections-may-be-delayed-until-2016-report/page-5?p=8731108#entry8731108

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Abhisit to CDC: New charter should not whitewash wrongdoers

BANGKOK, 28 November 2014 (NNT) – Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has given his suggestions to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), reminding the agency that reconciliation should not mean granting pardon to everybody.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779974-abhisit-to-cdc-new-charter-should-not-whitewash-wrongdoers/

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CHARTER WRITING
NRC panel in favour of direct election of Cabinet and PM
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A new parliamentary system that has never been seen before in Thailand - separation of the executive and legislative branches where the entire cabinet, including the PM, will be directly elected - was agreed upon by a subcommittee on political reform yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779975-thai-charter-writing-nrc-panel-in-favour-of-direct-election-of-cabinet-and-pm/

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CORRUPTION SCANDAL
Evidence mounts against 3 DSI agents
THE NATION



Trio implicated in investigation into petrol-smuggling ring in deep South

BANGKOK: -- THREE DSI agents have been incriminated in the probe of the petrol-smuggling ring in the deep South allegedly involving former crime-buster Pol Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779977-thai-corruption-scandal-evidence-mounts-against-3-dsi-agents/

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2014 UNICEF BEST CHILD RIGHTS REPORTING AWARD
Nation Group media grab four Unicef awards for their reportage on children's issues
PUNNEE AMORNVIPUTPANICH,
PHATHINYA IAMTAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- KOM CHAD LUEK yesterday won the 2014 Unicef Best Child Rights Reporting Award for its article on Thai children consuming snacks laced with preservatives and dangerous chemicals. Two other media outlets under Nation Multimedia Group (NMG) also came away with three prizes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779978-nation-group-media-grab-four-unicef-awards-for-their-reportage-on-childrens-issues/

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RETALIATORY ATTACKS FEARED
Security tightened in South
PANYA THIOSANGWAN,
PARES LOHASAN,
SANTHITI KHOJITMET
THE NATION

Fear of retalitation over court's death verdicts agaisnt insurgents

BANGKOK: -- SECURITY officers were tightening security across the deep South amid fears of retaliatory attacks by insurgents following the Pattani Provincial Court's verdict on Wednesday sentencing five men to deaths for their roles in the gun attack two years ago that killed four soldiers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779979-retaliatory-attacks-feared-security-tightened-in-thailands-south/

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TOURISM
Ministry unveils plan for sustainable tourism growth
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION


Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, third from left, and hospitality experts say Thai tourism will face challenges in the coming years.

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism and Sports Ministry has unveiled its strategic plan to drive the tourism sector through sustainable growth, even as hospitality experts warn that the travel industry face challenges in the coming years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779981-thai-tourism-ministry-unveils-plan-for-sustainable-tourism-growth/

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EDITORIAL
Prayut reaches historic crossroads in the deep South
The Nation

The PM must back pledges of an inclusive peace process with action that shows genuine respect toward the cultural differences of the Malay-speaking provinces

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is going to Malaysia to introduce himself to his counterpart there, Najib Razak. The ongoing insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces will be high on their discussion agenda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779983-thai-editorial-prayut-reaches-historic-crossroads-in-the-deep-south/

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OVERDRIVE
Gold rush in Europe as concern over money printing rises
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- Many European countries are now moving to repatriate their gold holdings from storage abroad. They are also looking to increase the proportion of gold in their international reserves to assure currency and financial stability.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779984-gold-rush-in-europe-as-concern-over-money-printing-rises/

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Crackdown on land encroachers on Koh Chang



KOH CHANG: -- Seven resorts and bungalows on Chang island or Koh Chang in Trat province have been found to have encroached on the land of the Koh Chang national park and forest reserves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779985-crackdown-on-land-encroachers-on-koh-chang/

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BURNING ISSUE
How beneficial to us is the railway deal with China?
Sasithorn Ongdee

BANGKOK: -- As expected, the Thailand and Chinese government-to-government deal for the construction of the 867km dual-track electric railway linking the country's Northeast with southern China via Laos was given the preliminary nod by the Cabinet on Tuesday and the agreement is set to be signed next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779986-thai-politics-how-beneficial-to-us-is-the-railway-deal-with-china/

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Gates interested in funding factory for HIV vaccine
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- American business magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates reportedly is interested in supporting Thailand to build a factory for the manufacture of a vaccine to combat the human immunodeficiency virus, which would be the first of its kind. Further discussions on this issue will be held in mid-December.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779987-bill-gates-interested-in-funding-factory-in-thailand-for-hiv-vaccine/

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Commercial surrogacy bill passes first reading with 177 to 2 votes
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly yesterday passed the first reading of a bill that seeks to outlaw commercial surrogacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779988-commercial-surrogacy-bill-passes-first-reading-with-177-to-2-votes/

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Abuse against women on the rise: study
PANTIPA JITRAWUTTHIPORN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- MOVES to stem the rising incidents of violence against women have not succeeded and in Thailand there are almost 100 abuse cases reported daily, with most of the attackers a partner or family member.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779989-abuse-against-women-in-thailand-on-the-rise-study/

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Many paid off in fuel scam
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IT IS NOT only the police who have taken bribes from petrol smugglers in the far South - Army units, customs officials and civilian agents have benefited from the lucrative illicit business for years, according to intelligence reports acquired by high-ranking security authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779990-thai-south-many-paid-off-in-fuel-scam/

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Thai woman gets 12 years for drug smuggling

The Jakarta Post - The Medan District Court's panel has sentenced a Thai woman by the name of Tipan Pruksa to 12 years in prison and Rp 1 billion in fines. Should she fail to pay the fine, she must stay for another three months in prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779991-indonesia-thai-woman-gets-12-years-for-drug-smuggling/

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Former Police Academy’s lecturer shot dead



BANGKOK: -- A former lecturer of Sampran Police Academy was shot dead by gunmen as he was driving a car on a road in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779993-former-thai-police-academys-lecturer-shot-dead/

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Oil prices plunge after Opec meeting

(BBC) The price of oil slumped after the Opec oil producers' cartel decided not to cut output at its meeting in Vienna.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779994-oil-prices-plunge-after-opec-meeting/

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Phillip Hughes death: 'Weeping' Australia in mourning - Slater

(BBC) The death of Phillip Hughes has left a country weeping and has "changed cricket forever" - according to former Australian batsman Michael Slater.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780000-weeping-australia-mourns-hughes/

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Khunying Pornthip examines locals affected by gold mine toxic waste in Phijit

PHIJIT, 28 Nov 2014, (NNT) - The Forensic Science Institute Director has revealed a shocking discovery that more than half of the group of locals randomly selected around a gold mine in Phijit Province have a high level of heavy metal in their bodies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780016-khunying-pornthip-examines-locals-affected-by-gold-mine-toxic-waste-in-phijit/

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Cold attracts more tourists to the North; soldiers dispatched to help cold snap victims

CHIANG MAI, 28 Nov 2014 (NNT) - More visitors flocked to Chiang Mai’s famous Doi Inthanont, while cold snap in Nan Province prompted the military to send aid to the affected locals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780016-khunying-pornthip-examines-locals-affected-by-gold-mine-toxic-waste-in-phijit/

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Ramathibodi's breakthrough in cheaper cost detection of Down’s syndrome before infant birth



BANGKOK: -- Ramathibodi hospital physicians have successfully achieved a breakthrough in screening for Down’s syndrome for pregnant women at lower cost.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780030-ramathibodis-breakthrough-in-cheaper-cost-detection-of-downs-syndrome-before-infant-birth/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,594.30, falls 5.52 points /MCOT

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Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation asked to train more pilots
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 28 -- A shortage of qualified Thai pilots on the country's domestic air routes means that some foreign pilots are being employed, according to the Civil Aviation Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780032-thailands-department-of-civil-aviation-asked-to-train-more-pilots/

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46 workers vomit, faint in chlorine gas leakage at Songkhla factory

BANGKOK: -- A chlorine gas leakage happened at a rubber glove factory in Songkhla's Ratphume district at 8 pm Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780033-46-workers-vomit-faint-in-chlorine-gas-leakage-at-songkhla-factory/

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Thailand to host this year's ABU Digista Teens 2014



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) are co-producing a TV program called 'ABU Digista Teens 2014', to be broadcast in both countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780037-thailand-to-host-this-years-abu-digista-teens-2014/

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Floating football pitch keeps Thai tourist blues at bay
Koh Panyee, Thailand | AFP |

With its stunning limestone cliffs towering over stilt houses surrounded by azure waters, the island of Panyee is a typical Thai paradise. But it's not mother nature drawing tourists here -- it's a floating football pitch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780040-floating-football-pitch-keeps-thai-tourist-blues-at-bay/

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Vendors sneak back on Phuket's beaches
Saran Mitrarat


Masseuses at Kamala Beach. Legal? Illegal?

PHUKET: -- The high season has begun and the tourists are coming into Phuket in rapidly growing numbers every day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780043-vendors-sneak-back-on-phukets-beaches/

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German fined for threatening ex-girlfriend with BB gun

PATTAYA: -- A German expat was fined for allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend with a BB gun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780049-german-fined-for-threatening-ex-girlfriend-with-bb-gun/