Thailand Live Wednesday 3 Dec 2014

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Much-awaited public audience
The Nation


The King's Guard units, in their colourful uniforms, march in parade yesterday at Bangkok's Sanam Luang ceremonial ground to mark His Majesty the King's 87th birthday, which falls on Friday.

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, will grant a much-awaited public audience at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall at 10.30am on Friday.

Also present will be HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana, HRH Princess Srirasmi and other members of the Royal Family, according to the Bureau of the Royal Household.

The Crown Prince, accompanied by his daughter HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, will also perform a religious ceremony to mark
His Majesty's birthday at the Emerald Buddha Temple at 5pm.

On the evening of December 8, the Crown Prince will, on behalf of His Majesty, grant audience to foreign envoys at Dusidalai Hall in Chitralada Palace.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Much-awaited-public-audience-30249063.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-03

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HM the King will grant audience on his birthday on December 5

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King will grant an audience to his well wishers at Amarinvinitchai throne hall in the Grand Palace on Friday to mark his 87th birthday anniversary, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced on Tuesday.

HM the King will be accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Chulabhorn and other members of the Royal Family.

HRH Crown Prince MahaVajiralongkorn will lead members of the Royal Family and other court members to express their well wishes to HM the King to be followed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and president of the National Legislative Assembly MrPornpetchWichitcholachai.

HM the King will deliver a brief speech to his well wishers after he will leave for Siriraj hospital.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/hm-king-will-grant-audience-birthday-december-5

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-02

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Princess Bajrakitiyabha will carry King Bhumibol’s message to the World Soil Day celebration in New York

BANGKOK, 3 December 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King has designated Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha to represent him at the first official World Soil Day celebration on Friday, 5 December, at the UN Headquarters in New York, the United States.

The Bureau of the Royal Household said in an announcement that the royal visit follows an invitation by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha has been assigned by His Majesty the King to read the royal message for the event, which wll also include the launch of the International Year of Soils. The royal message will be focused on the topic “Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life”.

The United Nations General Assembly has recognized 5 December 2014, which is HM the King’s birthday, as the World Soil Day and 2015 as the International Year of Soils in recognition for His Majesty the King’s dedicated efforts in the conservation and rehabilitation of soil conditions.

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha will depart for New York, the United States, on 3 December 2014 at 11.55 p.m. and return to Bangkok on Sunday, 7 December, at 10.30 p.m.


-- NNT 2014-12-03

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UPDATE:

Court rejects appeal, orders demolition of luxury hotel on Soi Ruamrudee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AETAS, A LUXURY 24-storey hotel in Soi Ruamrudee, faces demolition within 60 days on the orders of the Supreme Administrative Court, which yesterday upheld an earlier ruling that the construction violated building laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781111-thai-court-upholds-ruling-on-soi-ruamrudee-highrise/#entry8752406

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Artefacts to be repatriated
The Nation



Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar to be asked to check Pongpat treasures; warrant out

BANGKOK: -- SOME OF THE 50 artefacts worth more than Bt50 million found in the treasure trove hidden by former crime-buster Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan will be repatriated to their countries of origin, Fine Arts Department director-general Bowornwej Rungrujee said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781207-laos-cambodia-myanmar-to-be-asked-to-check-pongpat-treasures/

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Charter panel does not support direct election of Cabinet, PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AN IDEA for people to directly elect both the prime minister and members of Cabinet has been brushed aside by a subcommittee of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) working on the framework of a new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781208-thai-charter-panel-does-not-support-direct-election-of-cabinet-pm/

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ANALYSIS
German-style electoral system spurs interest
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION



But observers say it's no fix for parliamentary dictatorship

BANGKOK: -- IN A SUGGESTION seen as an attempt to prevent "parliamentary dictatorship", a German-style parliamentary and electoral system proposed by a charter drafter has been welcomed as an "interesting" proposal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781209-thai-analysis-german-style-electoral-system-spurs-interest/

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Gold mining firm agrees to drop lawsuits
Boonchu Sritraipop,
Wasu Vipoosanapat,
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation



Two suspects indicted over Loei assault case

LOEI: -- VILLAGERS protesting against the gold mine in Wang Saphung district in Loei province will not face civil lawsuits by Thung Kham Ltd, and it looks likely that criminal cases against them will also be dropped.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781211-loei-gold-mining-firm-agrees-to-drop-lawsuits/

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VAT
Govt urged to defer increase in VAT
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Supant Mongkolsuthree

BANGKOK: -- The recommendation was agreed upon by the Joint Standing Committee for Commerce, Industry and Banking at its recent monthly meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781212-thai-govt-urged-to-defer-increase-in-vat/

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EDITORIAL
Metered taxis can be a menace too
The Nation

Banning apps like Uber won't solve Bangkok cab users' transport woes

BANGKOK: -- Not everyone is successful hailing a Bangkok cab, and that's why the capital's taxi service can't be hailed a success. People frequently complain about poor service, with the most commonly held wish being the ability to get a ride when they need it. Unfortunately, so far, no government has come up with effective measures that would grant them that wish.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781214-thai-editorial-metered-taxis-can-be-a-menace-too/

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Foreign bike driver injured in Central Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday a foreign bike driver was badly hurt following a collision with a Baht Bus on Pattaya Second Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781215-foreign-bike-driver-injured-in-central-pattaya-road-crash/

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61 year old woman shot during family dispute at East Pattaya home



PATTAYA: -- Late on Monday Night, Police and rescue services were called to a house in the East Pattaya area following a family dispute which culminated in a 61 year old woman being shot in her leg.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781216-61-year-old-woman-shot-during-family-dispute-at-east-pattaya-home/

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Villagers panic as crocodile is spotted in South Pattaya Lake



PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon, sea rescue units were called to a lake in South Pattaya after villagers spotted a large crocodile.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781217-villagers-panic-as-crocodile-is-spotted-in-south-pattaya-lake/

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Cambodian gives birth inside car at North Pattaya Dolphin Roundabout



PATTAYA: -- There was drama on Monday afternoon at the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya after a Cambodian gave birth inside a car which was on its way to the Hospital when the birth began and the driver was forced to pull-over and wait for medics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781218-cambodian-gives-birth-inside-car-at-north-pattaya-dolphin-roundabout/

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Khunying Porntip reinstate as head of CIFS



BANGKOK: -- Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan has been reinstated as director of the Justice Ministry’s Central Institute of Forensic Science by the cabinet on Tuesday replacing Lt-Col Anek Yomchinda who was made an inspector-general of the Justice Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781219-khunying-porntip-reinstate-as-head-of-central-institute-of-forensic-science/

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UPDATE:

Court orders Aethas hotel and residences dismantled in 60 days



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Administrative Court on Tuesday ordered Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Pathumwan district office to dismantle the 24-storey luxury Aetas hotel and residences in Ruamrudee within 60 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781111-thai-court-upholds-ruling-on-soi-ruamrudee-highrise/#entry8752493

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Prosecutors claim case against Koh Tao Myanmar pair is solid: source
Suwannee Bandisak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors expect the case against two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering two British tourists on Koh Tao to be treated seriously by a court in the South because they believe the evidence is solid, an informed source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781221-prosecutors-claim-case-against-koh-tao-myanmar-pair-is-solid-source/

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Karen activist 'never released'
Tanpisit Lerdbamrungchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A POLICE PROBE into CCTV footage suggests that missing Karen activist Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen was never released following his arrest on a petty offence by Kaeng Krachan National Park officials, police investigators said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781222-kaeng-krachan-national-park-arrest-karen-activist-never-released/

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Mega-water project to be implemented in some areas
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE BT100-BILLION initial flood and water management project will only be implemented in areas where public forums have been conducted and the locals have approved the usage of the land, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781224-thai-mega-water-project-to-be-implemented-in-some-areas/

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TAT: Positive feedback received from recent roadshows

BANGKOK, 3 December 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed that its recent roadshows in Jordan and Egypt were a great success, with a large number of bookings made, while expecting the Middle Eastern market to grow 8.16 percent next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781225-tat-positive-feedback-received-from-recent-roadshows/

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Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu seeks early general election

JERUSALEM: -- Israel's prime minister has sacked his finance and justice ministers and declared he wants parliament dissolved, triggering an early general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781226-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-seeks-early-general-election/

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Egypt sentences 188 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to death

(BBC) More than 180 supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood have been sentenced to death in Egypt over a 2013 attack on a police station near Cairo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781227-egypt-sentences-188-muslim-brotherhood-supporters-to-death/

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Ebola crisis: Obama urges Congress to approve aid

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama has renewed calls for Congress to approve $6bn (£3.8bn) in emergency aid to fight the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781228-obama-calls-for-6bn-us-ebola-cash/

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Questions raised over Queen’s ancestry after DNA test on Richard III’s cousins
Tests on descendants of last Plantagenet king point to ‘false paternity event’ and reveal he may have been blue-eyed blond
Maev Kennedy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781244-questions-raised-over-queens-ancestry-after-dna-test-on-richard-iiis-cousins/

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Benzene and diesel prices to go down, natural gas prices to go up

BANGKOK, 3 December 2014 (NNT) – The government's energy policy committee on Tuesday resolved to lower the prices of benzene and diesel fuels, and to raise the prices of both LPG and NGV fuels.

Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee said after chairing the committee's meeting that the decision to adjust fuel prices was made to allow domestic prices to better reflect the global oil price, as the crude oil price has dropped to its lowest in recent years. Benzene fuels will become 50 satang cheaper per liter, and each liter sold will contribute 50 satang more to the Oil Fund than previously. The diesel price will be lowered by 40 satang per liter, and another 50 satang per litre sold will be contributed to the Oil Fund.

The committee also deemed that it is now appropriate to step up adjustments of the energy price structure to better reflect market mechanism, and thus resolved to discontinue the LPG price subsidy. Consequently, the LPG price will increase by 1.03 baht per kilogram, and the new price of 24.16 baht per kilogram will reflect the real cost. At the same time, NGV price for the transport sector will be raised by 1 baht per kilogram, to 12.50 baht per kilogram.


-- NNT 2014-12-03

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Free admissions to all zoos on National Father's Day
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 3 -- Admission to all seven zoos under Thailand's Zoological Park Organisation will be free during the upcoming National Father's Day on Friday, December 5, His Majesty the King's birthday, as the organisation tries to encourage more bonding between fathers and children.

The organisation is giving away 9,999 free zoo admission tickets to dads nationwide, on the occasion of His Majesty the King's birthday, which is also National Father's Day, to encourage all fathers to take their children the zoo for a family quality time.

The organisation further plans to give away another 5,000 zoo admission tickets to the public as New Year presents.

Zoological Park Organisation committee member Kriangkrai Karnchanapokin said that each zoo run by the organisation has different attractions and would organise various activities for the public to choose from.

As it is the oldest zoo in the Asia, Dusit Zoo, in the heart of Bangkok, will hold an historical exhibition to tell the story of Thailand's zoos. The Khao Kiew Zoo in Chon Buri, an open zoo, will showcase a performance by a hippopotamus. The Chiang Mai Zoo is the spotlight for favourite animals in Asia, including pandas and koalas.

Meanwhile, the Nakhon Sri Thammarat Zoo will showcase the 'Top 5 in Asia' performance by African animals.

The Songkhla Zoo will showcase marine animals, particularly the special skills of dolphins, while the Khon Kaen Zoo will offer an adventure zoo theme.

The Ubon Ratchathani Zoo will hold wild life animal shows, and the Elephant Kingdom Project in Surin will showcase elephant performances. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-12-03

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N. Koreans banned from using leader's name
By Digital Content

SEOUL, Dec 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has ordered its people not to use the name "Kim Jong-un" in a bid to protect the supreme authority of the current leader, according to Pyongyang's official document confirmed Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781248-north-koreans-banned-from-using-leaders-name/

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Hand grenades found in Phuket dump
Darawan Naknakhon


The two grenades after they were made safe.

PHUKET: -- Two hand grenades were spotted by a Burmese worker at a garbage dump on Soi Saiyuan 18 in Rawai yesterday afternoon (December 2).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781249-hand-grenades-found-in-phuket-dump/

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Abbott government cracks down on bizarre requests for help from Australian travellers
Latika Bourke

CANBERRA: -- Consular officials in Bangkok are used to helping Australians in compromising situations, but even they were shocked when a man asked taxpayers to foot the bill for a prostitute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781252-abbott-govt-cracks-down-on-bizarre-requests-for-help-from-aussies-abroad/

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Cabinet has postponed value-added tax hike until Thai economy has improved significantly /The Nation

Land Transport Dept held 2nd second meeting w/ San Franciso-based Uber to discuss how it could legally provide taxi service in Thailand /The Nation