Thailand Live Thursday 8 Jan 2015

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Rubber farmers urge NLA to remove rubber trees from Forest Plantation Act

BANGKOK, 8 January 2015 (NNT) – Rubber farmers have petitioned the National Legislative Assembly to remove rubber trees from the Forest Plantation Act.

NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai along with the chairman of the NLA committee on agriculture and cooperatives Danai Meechoovet, accepted a petition from representatives of rubber farmers, asking for the removal of rubber trees from the effects of the Forest Plantation Act B.E. 2535.

The petitioners claimed that the inclusion of rubber trees in this law violates the rule of nature and represents a selective treatment of plant growers while making the lives of rubber farmers harder when rubber prices continue to fall.

Mr. Pornpetch agreed to work with related committees to look into the petition while assuring the petitioners that the NLA will always listen to the voices of the people in improving Thailand’s laws and their enforcement.


-- NNT 2015-01-08

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12 dead in attack on Paris newspaper; France goes on alert
JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press
LORI HINNANT, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Masked gunmen shouting "Allahu akbar!" stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper Wednesday, killing 12 people before escaping. It was France's deadliest terror attack in at least two decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789984-12-dead-in-attack-on-paris-newspaper;-france-goes-on-alert/

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TAT expects Jan 14-18 tourism event to generate 250 million baht

BANGKOK, 8 January 2014 (NNT) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects that 250 million baht will be spent during a five-day Bangkok event held to spur Thailand's tourism in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790041-tat-expects-jan-14-18-tourism-event-to-generate-250-million-baht/

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Thai police ordered to keep foreign criminal cases on low profiles
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- The national police chief ordered his subordinates nationwide to keep secret the information arrests of foreigners thought to be engaged in criminal activities because their cases can be sensitive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790043-thai-police-ordered-to-keep-foreign-criminal-cases-on-low-profiles/

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Canadian Lawyer's Contract With Thaksin Terminated
By Khaosod English


A screen shot of the press release announcing Robert Amsterdam's new independent campaign to bring criminal charges against “the coup leadership and those responsible for the 2010 Bangkok massacre.” 2 Jan 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790044-canadian-lawyers-contract-with-thaksin-terminated/

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NATION'S ANALYSIS
Country walks a tightrope over impeachment
Kris Bhromsuthi,
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

The political divide could deepen, with ramifications for stability

BANGKOK: -- Whether former prime minister Yingluck Shinwatra is found guilty and impeached over alleged dereliction of duty and corruption related to the rice-pledging scheme or not, the outcome will mark a crucial political juncture with possible unnerving ramifications.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790045-thailand-walks-a-tightrope-over-impeachment/

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NLA bars the broadcast of impeachment proceedings
Wiraj Sripong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Viewers will not be able to see a broadcast of the impeachment proceedings against top politicians from the Pheu Thai Party, including former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on state-run NBT channel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790046-nla-bars-the-broadcast-of-impeachment-proceedings/

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Children to get a feel of PM Prayut's seat
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- ON THE OCCASION of National Children's Day this year, youngsters will get a rare opportunity to sit in Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha's official chair - and, just in case they can't find the PM nearby, they can pose for a photo alongside the life-sized cardboard cut-out of Prayut in his military uniform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790048-children-to-get-a-feel-of-pm-prayuts-seat/

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Rethink in govt plan to reduce gas dependency
Pichaya Changsorn
The Nation

Minister eyes a new era in which natural gas reshapes global economy

BANGKOK: -- Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee said yesterday the government was "rethinking" its plan to sharply reduce the country's dependency on natural gas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790049-rethink-in-thai-govt-plan-to-reduce-gas-dependency/

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EXHIBITION
A resemblance among royals
KUPLUTHAI PUNGKANON
THE NATION



HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has much in common with Queen Savang Vadhana, her great grandmother

BANGKOK: -- THE QUEEN SAVANg Vadhana Foundation is honouring Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn ahead of her birthday on April 2 with an exhibition that compares her work on behalf of the country to that of her great-grandmother, Queen Savang Vadhana, consort to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

Continuing through April, "Srisavarintira's Royal Duties, Sirindhorn's Pinij Royal Duties" is the latest in a series of annual exhibitions held at the Queen Savang Vadhana Museum at Srapathum Palace since its opening in 2008.

There is also a permanent exhibition in the Phra Tamnak Yai building at the palace, which is a central historical site for the Chakri Dynasty as the official residence of the Mahidol family. Princess Sirindhorn continues to live at Srapathum Palace as well.

The temporary exhibition is divided into two parts. The first is a charming biographical profile of Princess Sirindhorn, with many photos, including images of Their Majesties the King and Queen holding their second-eldest daughter and third child.

You can trace her education through photo essays and view some of her personal belongings, right down to the writing pens she'd insist on using until the ink ran dry. On view are tape cassettes and a player she used to catch up on school lessons missed while she was travelling upcountry with the King and Queen. Even her battered old schoolbag is there, a khun hiew, and her aomsin, a coin bank. The displays also cover her interest in music, photography and crafts.

Kanpirom Kangsanan of the foundation says the more she studies Queen Savang and Princess Sirindhorn, the more overwhelmed she is with appreciation. Kanpirom hopes visitors will similarly admire the character virtues that both women share. "Children should be grateful sons and daughters and good students for their teacher. When they grow up and get jobs, they should behave and take care of themselves, their families, their community and their nation.

"Queen Savang and Princess Sirindhorn are the two greatest personalities when it comes to loving kindness toward humanity. Their royal projects are primarily for the wellbeing of the people. They persevere and are patient as they strive for a successful outcome, whether in education or health issues. They never expect anything in return, only that the students they help will do good for the nation. And yet sometime their generosity goes beyond the border, into neighbouring countries," Kanpirom says.

"Both strongly believe that people's wellbeing has to be based on a good education and good health, and that, when there is suffering, everybody is a friend in need."

The second part of the exhibition focuses on the royal projects in education, public health and culture. You learn about Princess Sirindhorn's initiative to open learning centres in the northern mountains, as well as the Border Police schools and dhammongkol schools.

Queen Savang founded the Thai Red Cross Society and Princess Sirindhorn has been its chairperson for nearly 40 years. There is Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, currently under renovation and seeking funds to purchase medical equipment.

Thailand's cultural heritage, and its craftsmanship in particular, have been of enduring interest to both women. On display is an album in a delicately embroidered cover of photos of old Siam, which Queen Savang Vadhana presented at the Columbia Exposition in New York decades ago.

Phra Tamnak Yai was Queen Savang's residence from 1916 until her death in 1955. The permanent exhibition there is arranged around its three rooms corresponding to the palace's development over the years.

During "The First Period", His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkkla, the Prince Father, returned to Siam after completing his studies abroad, and here, on September 10, 1920, he married Sangwan Talaphat, who would become Her Royal Highness Princess Sri Nagarindra, the Princess Mother. His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) presided at the wedding and ritually poured blessed water from a conch on the royal couple hands.

In "The Second Period", Prince Mahidol and Princess Sri Nagarindra raised a daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, and, in "The Third Period" the family became complete with the addition of the two sons, the future kings Ananda Mahidol and Bhumibol Adulyadej.

On the wide balcony adjoining her bedchamber Queen Savang spent her time reading and taking her meals. And here, on the open-air terrace, too frail to attend the wedding of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, she bestowed her formal blessings on the royal couple.

Another moving display is a carrying pole with its balanced pair of baskets, as used by Chinese street hawkers. They regularly passed by the palace, calling out what wares they had to sell, and Queen Savang Vadhana often invited them onto the grounds to see what she might buy for her grandchildren.

CALL IN ADVANCE

-The Queen Savang Vadhana Museum is open weekdays from 10am to 3pm. The entrance is near the Siam Kempinski Hotel.

- Admission is Bt150 (Bt50 for students).

- Advance reservations are required. Call (02) 252 1965-7. Attire must be appropriate (skirts for women, no black or white clothing, no sleeveless outfits and no shorts).

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/A-resemblance-among-royals-30251407.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-08

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Beko picks Thailand for first Asean plant
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- BEKO, Europe's second-best-selling home-appliance brand, yesterday announced that it had selected Thailand as the location of its first Asean production facility, with the plant going into operation by the end of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790051-beko-picks-thailand-for-first-asean-plant/

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Thais buoyant as oil prices slide
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAIS ARE BECOMING upbeat about the economy this year, as plummeting oil prices are leaving more baht in their pockets to splurge, especially on big-ticket items.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790052-thais-buoyant-as-oil-prices-slide/

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EDITORIAL
Current road-safety measures are failing
The Nation

The decline in New Year accidents this year doesn't mask the need to do better

BANGKOK: -- Casualties from road accidents during the long New Year holiday have decreased this year when compared to the previous year. There were 26 fewer deaths and 227 fewer injuries during the seven-day period in which the data were collected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790053-thai-editorial-current-road-safety-measures-are-failing/

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THAI TALK
Ten questions that shape the political landscape of 2015
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

If 2014 was a "Year of Turbulence" for Thailand, 2015 will be the "Year of Lull before the Storm." Or will it?

BANGKOK: -- It all depends on whether you are an optimist or pessimist - or somewhere in between.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790054-thai-talk-ten-questions-that-shape-the-political-landscape-of-2015/

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50 Pattaya Beach Prostitutes arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- In an ongoing effort by Police to improve the image of Pattaya, especially to foreign tourists, 50 Women and Ladyboys suspected of being prostitutes were rounded up on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790055-50-pattaya-beach-prostitutes-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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Actress questioned in connection with KMITL's scandal



BANGKOK: -- Wellknown actress Savika “Pinky” Chaidej reported herself to the spokesman of the National Police Office on Wednesday to clear herself of suspicion that she might be involved with the gang which embezzled more than 1.6 billion baht from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lad Krabang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790056-thai-actress-questioned-in-connection-with-kmitls-scandal/

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UPDATE:

Suspected Pattaya Flasher named by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA -- Pattaya Police have named a man they would like to question in relation to the case of indecent exposure behind a Central Pattaya clinic which took place on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789736-cheeky-flasher-sought-by-pattaya-police/page-2?p=8908570#entry8908570

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UPDATE:

Suspect released without charge in Pattaya Police Officer fatal crash case



PATTAYA: -- The investigation into the death of a long-serving Pattaya Traffic Police Officer close to the entrance of Highway 7 on Tuesday has suffered a setback as a suspect and his vehicle were found not to have been involved in the incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789735-pattaya-traffic-police-officer-killed-in-hit-and-run-road-crash/page-2?p=8908575#entry8908575

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Lobbyist Amsterdam breaks with Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- Lobbyist Robert Amsterdam broke with fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, citing deteriorating conditions of human rights following the May coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790044-canadian-lawyers-contract-with-thaksin-terminated/#entry8908588

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BURNING ISSUE
'Crisis' non-elected PM could come sooner than expected
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- The drafters of the new constitution have said it will not be easy for an outsider to become prime minister under the new charter they are writing. A non-elected PM will be possible only in a time of crisis, a spokesman for the Constitution Drafting Committee said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790057-crisis-non-elected-thai-pm-could-come-sooner-than-expected/

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Need to explain lese majeste law abroad

BANGKOK: -- To get lese majeste suspects extradited, the government must explain to foreign countries that lese majeste law covers criminal and not political offences, Deputy PM's adviser Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn said yesterday.

Panitan said the Foreign Ministry had been seeking extradition of suspects escaping lese majeste charges overseas, but the ministry faced difficulties because foreign countries were very cautious in dealing with a coup-installed government.

Asked if the Prayut government had been working to bring ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to face malfeasance charges, Panitan said the government had been trying to get law enforcement and other mechanisms that had failed over the past years to function properly. "We do not give special weight to any particular issue as we focus on getting all the systems to work,'' he said.

He said if these mechanisms failed to work, reform would be doomed.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Need-to-explain-lese-majeste-law-abroad-30251461.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-08

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Thai-made vaccine distributed around the world
POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CERTIFIED by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the attenuated [low intensity] Japanese encephalitis vaccine from its Thailand-based factory will be eligible for distribution worldwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790058-thai-made-vaccine-distributed-around-the-world/

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UPDATE:

Fifty-nine police station chiefs face transfer
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The planned transfers of a large number of police-station chiefs in Bangkok, accused of benefiting from the unlawful display of electronic advertising signboards, went closer to final approval when the Police Commission yesterday agreed in principle to the official reshuffle list.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789920-thai-police-commission-endorsed-mass-transfer-of-metropolitan-police/page-2?p=8908627#entry8908627

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Understanding urged in South
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE SOUTHERN violence continues to be severe because the conflict of thoughts has not been solved, so police have to be understanding and learn about the ways of life, needs and wants of the locals as well as promote people's participation, said Pol Lt-General Anurut Krisanakaraket, commander of the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790060-thailand-understanding-urged-in-south/

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Obama calls French shooting 'cowardly evil attacks'
By NEDRA PICKLER

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama called Wednesday's deadly shooting at a satirical newspaper in Paris "cowardly evil attacks" on journalists and a free press and vowed to help France pursue the terrorists who went on the run.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790061-obama-calls-french-shooting-cowardly-evil-attacks/

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French police ID gunmen who killed 12 in attack on newspaper
By JAMEY KEATEN and LORI HINNANT

PARIS (AP) — Masked gunmen stormed the offices of a satirical newspaper that caricatured the Prophet Muhammad, methodically killing 12 people Wednesday, including the editor, before escaping in a car. It was France's deadliest terrorist attack in half a century.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790062-french-police-id-gunmen-who-killed-12-in-attack-on-newspaper/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

FBI director gives new clues tying North Korea to Sony hack

NEW YORK (AP) — The FBI director revealed new details Wednesday about the stunning cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., part of the Obama administration’s effort to challenge persistent skepticism about whether North Korea’s government was responsible for the brazen hacking.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/fbi-director-gives-new-clues-tying-north-korea-sony-hack/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Apple takes a bite out of Android in 2014

Here’s some news that will likely stir up the “which is better” debate (which ever seems to end). It was just revealed by research firm “Kantar Worldpanel ComTech” that, mainly thanks to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple’s smartphone sales in the last quarter are on a roll and come at the expense of Android’s market share.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-bites-android-2014-sales/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Drone Revolution: Drones must learn to navigate populated areas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — For drones to make it to the big time, they will need to learn to get around in towns and cities — without falling on car hoods or crashing into pedestrians.

Technology has advanced to the point where hobbyists can fly the unmanned aircraft with their iPhones. But nobody has yet developed a successful system for the devices to sense and avoid other objects like trees, streetlights, buildings and even other drones.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/drone-revolution-drones-must-learn-navigate-populated-areas/

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Muhammad Ali released from hospital
BRUCE SCHREINER, Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Muhammad Ali is home after being hospitalized with a severe urinary tract infection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790064-muhammad-ali-released-from-hospital/