Phuket jet-ski operators complain about illegal interlopers
Nattha Thepbamrung


Surachai Yomlee points to the registration number on a legitimate jet-ski at Bang Tao Beach.

PHUKET: -- The head of the Bang Tao jet-ski Club, Surachai Yomlee, has complained that unlicensed jet-ski operators are operating from Bang Tao beach, and have been since November last year. He has also accused “some officials” of colluding with them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791558-phuket-jet-ski-operators-complain-about-illegal-interlopers/

UPDATE:

DNP to regulate cars in national parks

BANGKOK, 13 January 2015 (NNT) – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) will be enforcing additional regulations to all vehicles entering the national park areas and parking spots to avoid confrontation with wild animals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791413-no-plan-to-shut-khao-yai-park-but-may-impose-passing-restriction/#entry8932679

Sunflowers field in Lard Prao opened to tourists

BANGKOK: -- The field is located on Prasert Manoonkit Road behind Sattree Witthaya School in Lard Prao district. The sunflowers are expected to remain blooming until the weekend.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Sunflowers-field-in-Lard-Prao-opened-to-tourists-30251815.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-13

Egypt court orders retrial in corruption case against ex-President Mubarak paving way for possible release from jail /BBC

UPDATE:

Human traffickers change route to smuggle Rohingha migrants to Malaysia



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Human trafficking rings have changed their routes from Andaman coastal provinces to provinces along the west coast to smuggle Rohingya migrants to Thailand to avoid strict suppression there, according to Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791557-two-more-rohingyas-dead-in-nakhon-si-thammarat/#entry8932796

Thousands of fish being removed from abandoned mall aquarium
By Coconuts Bangkok


Exotic species swim free in abandoned mall. Photo: Kajonsak Intarapong/ Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of exotic fish species who’ve lived in the basement of an abandoned shopping mall were removed from their home yesterday as the building will be drained.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791563-thousands-of-fish-being-removed-from-abandoned-bangkok-mall-aquarium/

Unnerved By Waves of Transfer, Police Officers Turn To Horoscopes
By Khaosod English


Pol.Col. Samart consults provides an astrological reading in his office in Pitsanulok province, 13 Jan 2015.

PITSANULOK — A series of purges in Thai police force have driven many officers to seek guidance from Pol.Col. Samart Chuthet, a self-styled "police astrologist" operating out of Pitsanulok province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791568-unnerved-by-waves-of-transfer-thai-police-officers-turn-to-horoscopes/

SET index closed 1,534.97 up 3.76; Bt/USD32.72; GBP49.50; AUD26.59; EUR38.61; CAD27.23; HKD4.21; SGD24.39; JPY27.49

26 people to be questioned in connection with KMITL embezzlement case



BANGKOK: -- Crime Suppression Division police have issued summonses for the interrogation of 26 individuals in connection with the King Mongkut Institute of Technology Lad Krabang (KMITL) embezzlement case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791571-26-people-to-be-questioned-in-connection-with-kmitl-embezzlement-case/

Pattaya Transgender Faces Jail Term for 'Kicking a Cat'
By Khaosod English


A man and the cat who he has accused a 35-year-old transgender woman of kicking, Pattaya, 13 Jan 2015.

CHONBURI — A transgender woman is facing prosecution under Thailand's newly-passed animal protection law for allegedly kicking a cat in the resort town of Pattaya this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791572-pattaya-transgender-faces-jail-term-for-kicking-a-cat/

Water supply to Phuket village to be suspended on Thursday
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Mubaan Irrawaddy. Image Gooole Street View

PHUKET: -- Water supplies to Irawadee Village and nearby, on Pracha-Uthit Rd in Rassada, will be cut off from 10 am on Thursday (on January 15).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791574-water-supply-to-phuket-village-to-be-suspended-on-thursday-jan-15/

Underage gangsters murdered 19-year-old 'by mistake'
Darawan Naknakhon


Abdulla Masalae with the gun thought to have been used to kill the totally innocent Boat

PHUKET: -- Police yesterday (January 12) arrested two youths on charges of murdering 19-year old Chalong “Boat” Natpetchdang on Phoonpol Rd Soi 7 just before midnight on December 29 last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791577-phuket-underage-gangsters-murdered-19-year-old-by-mistake/

Ministries discuss rice production structure

BANGKOK, 13 January 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) held a meeting on the rice production structure adjustment, which will be presented to the National Rice Policy Committee.

The MOAC Permanent-Secretary Chavalit Chookajorn has presided over the meeting on the rice production structure adjustment held by the MOAC and the MOC.

This meeting took into consideration the information from the MOAC on the different strains of rice and the targeted rice grains production plan with the in-stock rice, export figures, domestic consumption, and rice market information form the MOC.

The adjustment of the rice production structure is expected to balance the demand and the supply of rice in the market by the year 2019.

This meeting concluded that relevant information on rice production structure, both supply and demand, must be made clear by 23 January 2015 and be submitted to the National Rice Policy Committee’s consideration by the end of January.


-- NNT 2015-01-13

UPDATE:

Proactive plan to be implemented to boost tourism to Thailand

BANGKOK, 13 January 2015 (NNT) -The Tourism Council of Thailand has announced a proactive plan to be implemented in 2015 to boost Thailand’s tourism industry after an overall decrease in the number of tourists last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791466-thailand-number-of-tourists-in-this-years-q1-projected-at-755-million/page-2#entry8933187

Education Minister Narong Pipatanasai has declared 2015 as year of zero illiteracy for Thai students. /The Nation

Authorities in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songhla provinces are gathering donations and volunteers to help rehabilitate badly flood-damaged Kelantan State. /Bangkok Post

CDC starts to distribute constitution pamphlets

BANGKOK, 13 January 2015 (NNT) – The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has started to distribute the pamphlets informing the principles of the constitutional drafting process, inviting the public to voice their opinion.

The CDC Chairman Bowornsak Uwanno led the CDC members in handling of the draft constitution's first edition pamphlets, on human rights and the budget, to the Bangchak Company and the Premier Group. Copies of the draft will be printed and delivered to the general public, allowing them to study the outline of the draft constitution.

Meanwhile, Microsoft will support the distribution of the pamphlets in the e-book format and animation cartoon, accessible from the digital devices such as smartphones free of charge.

This pamphlet contains the initial framework of the new constitution without the detail of each section, which can still be amended. Therefore, the public is encouraged to send their comments and feedback to the CDC, said the CDC Chairman.

The CDC Chairman has denied that this pamphlets distribution and comments hearing are not related to the public hearing process, but the CDC wants public feedback on the draft constitution.

He said that he personally views that the public hearing should be conducted after the constitution has been drafted, but the matter depends on the decision of the government and the NCPO.


-- NNT 2015-01-13

Islamic State Poses Same Threat to Russia as to West: Russian Diplomat

Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department says the Islamic State (IS) militants pose the same threat to Russia as they do to the West.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791591-islamic-state-poses-same-threat-to-russia-as-to-west-russian-diplomat/

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Jan 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791698-thailand-live-wednesday-14-jan-2015/