Thailand Live Thursday 4 Dec 2014

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HM'S 87TH BIRTHDAY
Subjects seen in vintage photos vow loyalty to His Majesty
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- NINE PEOPLE seen with His Majesty the King in widely distributed vintage photos have been rediscovered by the Culture Ministry in a much-followed event in honour of the beloved monarch's 87th birthday tomorrow.

Booklets describing vignettes of the nine subjects will be distributed to libraries to promote the event and encourage the public to cherish their memories and loyalty to His Majesty, Danucha Sindhvananda, a senior ministry official and the project director, said yesterday.

All nine have emerged with proof of their identities and recently received tokens of appreciation at the ministry. Yesterday they signed get-well albums during an activity at Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty is recovering from medical treatment.

Four of them expressed appreciation for and allegiance to the monarchy in recent interviews.

Father Watchara Prueksarojjanakul (Photo 1) said he has always kept that episode in his mind even though the newspaper photo, cut out and saved by his mother, had been lost. The Catholic priest said he has looked to His Majesty as his role model.

Usanee Hajiwaeduereh, (photo 3) a Muslim woman, said Her Majesty the Queen told her to speak normally instead of using the royal vocabulary when talking to her, after she and her classmates were asked how they had arrived at a school in the deep South.

Khawee Inthisaeng, (photo 5) whom His Majesty spoke to during a visit to Sakhon Nakhon's Kusumal district, said he and the other villagers had adopted the monarch's suggestions on irrigation and now they could farm with an abundant supply of water.

Praphan Phoosudsawaeng (photo 9) said he was impressed with His Majesty's knowledge of irrigation and his graciousness towards residents in remote areas in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district during his visit.

Praphan was a senior official involved in development projects and since meeting with His Majesty has served out his career relying on His Majesty's teachings and self-sufficiency philosophy.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over a special ceremony marking the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday.

The premier expressed heartfelt wishes to His Majesty for good health and a long life before leading government officials in taking an oath to be good officials, who would work to the best of their ability and with integrity to assist the people and develop the country to achieve prosperity.

The officials also swore to follow the teachings of the Lord Buddha and to forever follow His Majesty's royal guidance.

Charae Panpruang, secretary-general of the House of Representatives and acting secretary-general of the National Reform Council, led other officials from the House of Representatives to pay respects to the King in front of His Majesty's portrait.

They also pledged to be good officials and properly exercise the power of the nation to commemorate the royal birthday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Subjects-seen-in-vintage-photos-vow-loyalty-to-His-30249097.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-04

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Migrants to stand trial for British tourist murders in Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thai prosecutors on Wednesday said two Myanmar men will stand trial for the brutal killing of a pair of British holidaymakers on a tourist resort after finally accepting murder charges against them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781415-myanmar-men-to-stand-trial-for-british-tourist-murders-on-koh-tao/

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POLICE CORRUPTION SCANDAL
Warrants for 2 more Pongpat associates
The Nation



Pongpat associates More cases of intimidation come to light; wanted businessman nopporn has fled to Cambodia, police reveal

BANGKOK: -- ARREST warrants have been issued for two more suspects allegedly involved in a series of intimidation cases associated with crime-buster Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan, Phra Khanong police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781447-thai-police-corruption-scandal-warrants-for-2-more-pongpat-associates/

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Army chief plays down claim about students
The Nation

Udomdej says allegation of Khon Kaen students being paid to be investigated

BANGKOK: -- Trying to play down the unsubstantiated allegation that five Khon Kaen University students were paid to protest against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr said the media should henceforth approach him and not his subordinate Lt-General Kampanart Ruddit, the First Army Region Commander, who had made the allegation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781448-thai-army-chief-plays-down-claim-about-students/

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ANNUAL BRICS
Only 3 Thai varsities in top 100
The Nation

Alarm bells ring as rankings and number of universities in the latest emerging economies list slide from last year

BANGKOK: -- THIS YEAR only three Thai higher-education institutes have made it to the list of top 100 universities in emerging economies, down from five last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781449-only-3-thai-varsities-in-list-of-top-100-universities/

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SOUTHERN INSURGENCY
Preparations underway for South peace talks
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AS MOVES to restore peace in the deep South go into motion, the Army's chief adviser General Aksara Kerdpol said yesterday that he will speak with facilitators in Malaysia in the middle of this month to get dialogue guidelines. He added that the negotiation team will comprise of no more than 15 members.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781451-preparations-underway-for-thai-south-peace-talks/

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CHARTER WRITING
Thailand 'studying, not copying ideas'
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- NATIONAL Legislative Assembly chief Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said yesterday that political ideas and systems from other countries were being studied by the NLA, but he stressed that they could not be copied and implemented because of their different historical and cultural contexts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781452-charter-writing-thailand-studying-not-copying-ideas/

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Reform on track, chamber told
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha assured the foreign business community yesterday that the country was moving forward in accordance with the government's social and economic road maps, and that any changes to the law would not negatively affect the investment climate for foreigners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781453-thai-reform-on-track-foreign-business-community-told/

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EDITORIAL
How to cut our trashy habits
The Nation

The answer to Thailand's growing garbage problem lies at home

BANGKOK: -- Today is Thai Environment Day. Exactly 25 years ago, in a speech given on the eve of his birthday, His Majesty the King expressed concern about the worsening environmental problems facing Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781454-thai-editorial-how-to-cut-our-trashy-habits/

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Pattaya Immigration arrest Russian accused of sending Steroids to Russia



PATTAYA: -- Acting on an International Arrest Warrant issued by the Russian Authorities, and in conjunction with the Thai Army, Immigration Police arrested a 47 year old Russian National in Pattaya on Tuesday Morning, accused of exporting Steroids from Thailand to Russia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781455-pattaya-immigration-arrest-russian-accused-of-sending-steroids-to-russia/

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Russian pressure to catch pick-up driver responsible for Baht Bus crash in Jomtien



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday, the wife of a seriously injured passenger of a Baht Bus, which was involved in a road crash in Jomtien late on Monday Night, visited the Pattaya Police Chief to ensure that everything is being done to catch the man thought to be responsible, who fled the scene of the crash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781456-russian-pressure-to-catch-pick-up-driver-responsible-for-baht-bus-crash-in-jomtien/

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Pattaya Police Beach Patrol Launched at Pattaya Port



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday Night the much anticipated launch of the Chonburi Provincial Police Beach Patrol took place at the Bali Hai Port at the south-end of Pattaya Beach and close to the Southern entrance to Walking Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781457-pattaya-police-beach-patrol-launched-at-pattaya-port/

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UPDATE:

Crocodile in South Pattaya Lake caught after 24 hour search



PATTAYA: -- Following a search lasting more than 24 hours for the elusive crocodile which was spotted in a lake in South Pattaya, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon that the 2 meter long reptile had been caught.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781217-villagers-panic-as-crocodile-is-spotted-in-south-pattaya-lake/#entry8756792

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Appeals Court upholds death sentence for dancing gunman



CHONBURI: -- The Chonburi Appeal Court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence of the Chonburi first court for a cold-blooded gunman, who shot his girlfriend and her mother to death and then walked out of the scene in dancing manner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781458-thai-appeals-court-upholds-death-sentence-for-dancing-gunman/

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Public to be asked whether they want death penalty or not



BANGKOK: -- Public opinions will be sought to find out whether the public want death penalty to be retained or scrapped, said General Lertrat Rattanavanich, spokesman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781459-thai-public-to-be-asked-whether-they-want-death-penalty-or-not/

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Thailand's corruption perception index recovers



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s corruption perception index improves this year with ranking moving up from 102nd place last year to 85th place and score rising to 38 from 35.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781460-thailands-corruption-perception-index-recovers/

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BURNING ISSUE
Amnesty issue returns to haunt Thai politics once more
Atthayuth Butrsriphum

BANGKOK: -- Political amnesty has become a hot issue again. Once the idea was floated recently, it met with questions and mistrust as well as concern whether the country would slip back into political turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781461-amnesty-issue-returns-to-haunt-thai-politics-once-more/

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UPDATE:

No violence or forced confession by Koh Tao suspects, says Suwat
SuwatChanikarn Phumhirun,
Suwannee Bandisak



BANGKOK: -- POLICE HAVE not used any violence against two Myanmar nationals detained over the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a senior police officer told a subcommittee of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781415-myanmar-men-to-stand-trial-for-british-tourist-murders-on-koh-tao/page-3?p=8756830#entry8756830

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BMA ready to order Aetas hotel demolition
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Aetas hotel will be the largest building to face a demolition order from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for breaking regulations, its BMA deputy permanent secretary Kritsada Kluntanont said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781462-bma-ready-to-order-aetas-hotel-demolition/

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Copter crash probe to finish next week
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The probe into the Bell 212 helicopter crash in Phayao province last month, which killed a Third Army Area deputy chief and eight others, will be officially concluded next week

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781463-phayao-copter-crash-probe-to-finish-next-week/

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Fired Israeli minister slams Netanyahu for being "out of touch"
English.news.cn

JERUSALEM, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Former Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who was fired and rebuked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lashed out at Netanyahu on Wednesday, saying Netanyahu was "out of touch."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781465-fired-israeli-minister-slams-netanyahu-for-being-out-of-touch/

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Eric Garner: No charges in NY chokehold case

(BBC) A grand jury has not charged a New York City police officer over the death of Eric Garner, who died after being placed in a chokehold by the officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781466-eric-garner-no-charges-in-ny-chokehold-case/

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Pope Francis dismisses 'authoritarian' Swiss Guard commander

(BBC) Pope Francis is removing the commander of the Swiss Guards, with the pontiff reportedly unhappy at the officer's strict authoritarian style.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781467-pope-francis-dismisses-authoritarian-swiss-guard-commander/

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A well-known astrologer, Sin Sae Jo, has been approached to join a team of government spokespeople in a bid to counter anti-coup criticism on social media. /Bangkok Post

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PM holds talks with print media

BANGKOK, 4 Dec 2014, (NNT) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday held a discussion on the Government’s works with the members of the press asking for their cooperation in addressing the country’s issues.

The meeting, which was held at Rajpruek Club with 16 executives and representatives from the print media in attendance, lasted for about 2 hours. When it was over, the Prime Minister said it had been held to clarify the government's approaches to solving the country's problems, which needed the support of the press.

According to him, the Government is doing its best not to criticize or interfere with the media’s duty, saying this meeting aims at creating understanding between the two parties.

The member of the print media later disclosed that the discussion went on smoothly, adding that the Government did not attempt to intervene in or manipulate their work, only clarifying its past achievement and future endeavors.

-- NNT 2014-12-04

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Music in the Garden concert to honor H.M. the King held today

BANGKOK, 4 December 2014 (NNT) – The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) is holding its 22nd ‘Music in the Garden’ in the Public Relations Department (PRD) multi-purpose courtyard, Soi Ari, today between 4:00-8.00 p.m., to honor H.M. the King’s 87th birthday anniversary and also in its ongoing effort to promote unity and happiness among the people.

As a concert to celebrate H.M. the King’s birthday, the concert will feature many well known national artists, including Suthep Wongkamhaeng, Sawalee Pakaparn, Naowarat Pongpaiboon, and SEA Writer Award winner Tanit Sriklindee, a Thai flute master.

The event will also feature other great singers, including M.R. Jirakom Kittiyakorn and performers from the PRD Band. The special guest list ensures a fun and exciting event filled with soothing songs composed by H.M. the King that have been well loved by all Thais for decades

The public is invited to join the event in the PRD multi-purpose courtyard in Soi Ari, Bangkok. Admission is free.


-- NNT 2014-12-04

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Government welcomes domestic and international views on reform
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 3 -- Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn said the Thai government welcomes all reform ideas from everyone, including those within the country, Thais living abroad andr from the international community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781498-thai-govt-welcomes-domestic-and-international-views-on-reform/

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BoT: Energy prices won't impede economic recovery
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 3 - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) said Wednesday that inflation would be down for 1-2 years, that low oil prices would not obstruct Thai economic recovery next year and that low inflation would not lead to deflation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781500-bot-energy-prices-wont-impede-economic-recovery/

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UPDATE:

Thai, Malay teams to discuss southern peace talks preparation mid-month
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 4 -- Thailand’s southern peace negotiation team will discuss the peace process preparation with Malaysia, as negotiation facilitator, in mid-December before meeting with the southern border insurgents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781451-preparations-underway-for-thai-south-peace-talks/#entry8757481

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,597.45, gains 2.91 points /MCOT