Thailand Live Sunday 18 Jan 2015

[Lite Beer]

Phitsanulok, Phichit hit hard as Yom River almost dries up
The Sunday Nation

PHITSANULOK: -- Many provinces are suffering from severe drought, including Phitsanulok, where the Yom River, which passes through Phrom Phiram, Muang and Bang Rakam districts, has almost dried up, an informed source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792757-phitsanulok-phichit-hit-hard-as-yom-river-almost-dries-up/

[Lite Beer]

Ex-ministers defend rice scheme via YouTube video
THE SUNDAY NATION January 18, 2015 1:00 am

Answer on Yingluck's behalf all questions posed by NLA

FOUR FORMER MINISTERS in the previous government led by Yingluck Shinawatra defended its rice-pledging scheme yesterday on her behalf via the YouTube video-sharing website.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792760-ex-ministers-defend-rice-scheme-via-youtube-video/

[Lite Beer]

Segregation plan to tackle drugs
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Paiboon says new strategy to end drug dealing in prisons would lay emphasis on rehabilitation of inmates

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792761-segregation-plan-to-tackle-drugs/

[Lite Beer]

Wissanu says politicians may try to test charter once it comes into effect
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI POLITICS is likely to heat up after the new constitution takes effect because some people may want to test its effectiveness, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792762-wissanu-says-politicians-may-try-to-test-charter-once-it-comes-into-effect/

[Lite Beer]

Border hospitals in Tak face large bills for migrants, stateless people
THE SUNDAY NATION

TAK: -- Five border hospitals in Tak province have to shoulder Bt110 million worth of medical expenses for 12,000 migrants and stateless people last year, the Public Health Ministry has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792763-border-hospitals-in-tak-face-large-bills-for-migrants-stateless-people/

[Lite Beer]

PTT firm 'wants fishermen to lower compensation demand'
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Arbitration by officials from Rayong Provincial Court over a lawsuit lodged last July by 429 local fishermen against PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) for Bt400 million in compensation and the setting up of a rehabilitation fund after an oil leak off Rayong on June 27, 2013, is slated to continue on March 13.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792764-ptt-firm-wants-fishermen-to-lower-compensation-demand/

[Lite Beer]

Chinese, Myanmar help sought to arrest fugitive drug traders
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chinese and Myanmar authorities have been urged to help arrest 10 fugitive drug traders believed to be in hiding in those countries, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said.

He said that the seven men and three women were "important drug dealers" wanted by the authorities for their involvement in mostly methamphetamine or yaba dealing.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the seven, who are believed to be trafficking drugs in the border areas between Thailand and Myanmar. Some of the fugitives are believed to have escaped to China.

Permpong Chaovalit, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, identified the wanted drug dealers as Chaiwat Pornsakulpaisan (aka Lt-Colonel Yi Se); Prayuth Hongsakam; Fong Pathumanee; Sudket Sakpanjakhan; Pairat Danchutimapanit (aka Pracha Buathet); Jaimoon Thaomalla; Yongsilp Saema; Suchada Thuaipa; Sampao Danchutimapanit; and Veera Muenjada.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Chinese-Myanmar-help-sought-to-arrest-fugitive-dru-30252111.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-18

[Lite Beer]

KMITL ex-rector to be questioned on assets
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police will soon summon Thawil Phuengma, former rector of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang (KMITL), to explain how he had amassed Bt86 million in assets, which he had declared to the National Anti-Corruption Commission last year, an informed source has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792765-kmitl-ex-rector-to-be-questioned-on-assets/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Move to outlaw hate speech needs careful handling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A proper explanation is needed for what constitutes 'hate speech', amid fear the law could be exploited politically

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792766-move-to-outlaw-hate-speech-needs-careful-handling/

[Lite Beer]

Two men sentenced for killing and skinning a dog, posting photographs on Facebook
The Nation

CHIANG RAI: -- Two brothers in Chiang Rai have been given a suspended jail term and fined Bt8,000 each for killing their own dog and posted its picture on Facebook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792767-two-men-sentenced-for-killing-and-skinning-a-dog-posting-photographs-on-facebook/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Listeriosis-associated apple detected in Thailand

BANGKOK, 17 January 2015 (NNT) – Thai authorities have confirmed the existence of Listeriosis-associated apples imported from the United States to Thailand, advising the public to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792620-us-officially-asks-thailand-to-recall-her-contaminated-apples/page-2#entry8951583

[Lite Beer]

MOAC to hold ‘happiness’ campaign for living conditions

BANGKOK, 17 January 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) will be gearing up its efforts solve public debt and will be implementing its campaign in providing better living conditions for farmers, said official.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792769-moac-to-hold-happiness-campaign-for-living-conditions/

[Lite Beer]

"Watch Dog organizations will bring a heathy democracy," Deputy PM says

TRAT, 17 January 2015 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krue-ngam today gave a special talk on “Watch Dog Organization: Hope after the National Reform”.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792770-watch-dog-organizations-will-bring-a-heathy-democracy-deputy-pm-says/

[Lite Beer]

Deficit budget is needed to stimulate the economy

BANGKOK: -- It is necessary to maintain deficit budget for 2016 fiscal year as the government plans to invest as much as 534 billion baht or 20 percent of the budget for development projects in order to stimulate the economy, said Deputy Prime Minister M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792772-deficit-budget-is-needed-to-stimulate-the-economy/

[Lite Beer]

Latest Charlie Hebdo cover continues to roil Muslim world
ASHRAF KHALIL, Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — The famed French weekly Charlie Hebdo has continued to draw a somewhat contradictory reaction across the Muslim world. Many Muslims have expressed disgust at the deadly assault on the magazine's Paris office by Islamic extremists who killed 12 people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792774-latest-charlie-hebdo-cover-continues-to-roil-muslim-world/

[Lite Beer]

Tea party looks to 2016 at South Carolina convention
By BILL BARROW

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Presidential primary polls will not open for another year, but archconservatives have begun debating how to reverse the GOP's losing streak in national elections.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792775-tea-party-looks-to-2016-at-south-carolina-convention/

[Lite Beer]

Suspects held in Greece as European terror crackdown widens
RAF CASERT, Associated Press
DEMETRIS NELLAS, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — With Europe on edge, soldiers fanned out to guard possible terror targets in Belgium Saturday while police in Greece detained at least two suspects as part of a widening counterterrorism dragnet across the continent.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792778-suspects-held-in-greece-as-european-terror-crackdown-widens/

[Lite Beer]

RT @ThaipbsEngNews: Good Morning with the sunrise from Doi Inthanon National Park. Have a nice sunday. http://twitter.com/ThaipbsEngNews/status/556613539251494912/photo/1

[Lite Beer]

2 dead, 1 wounded in central Florida mall shooting
The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Florida (AP) — A Florida man had "several pockets full of ammunition" when he targeted his wife in a shooting Saturday morning that left two people dead at a mall food court, police said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792784-2-dead-1-wounded-in-central-florida-mall-shooting/

[Lite Beer]

Nonthaburi repairs homes of the less-fortunate

NONTHABURI, 18 Jan 2015, (NNT) - Nonthaburi Province is organizing a campaign to repair the aging homes of less well off residents of the province, to celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The Nonthaburi Provincial Governor Chonchuen Boonyanusarn, says the campaign is aimed at improving the living conditions of local people some of whom are near destitute, by maintaining their state-sponsored homes and keeping them safe and well secured.

Mr. Chonchuen disclosed that initially the fund for the home maintenance project is set at 20-thousand baht per household and that the fund is being allocated in accordance with the province’s selection criteria.

The Governor invited those interested in making donations, to do so at the Deputy Governor’s office at the Provincial Hall or district offices.

-- NNT 2015-01-18

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Deadly anti-Charlie Hebdo riots as France defends free speech

AFP

Five people were killed and churches set on fire in Niger on Saturday (January 18) in fresh protests against the French weekly Charlie Hebdo's cartoon of Mohammed, as France condemned the violence and asserted its commitment to freedom of expression.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792778-suspects-held-in-greece-as-european-terror-crackdown-widens/#entry8952281

[Lite Beer]

60.6% of community leaders believe in fairness of impeachment cases

BANGKOK: -- Up to 60.6 per cent of community leaders were found by an opinion survey to believe that the on-going impeachment process against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a former parliament president and a former vice parliament president was fair and transparent.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792803-606-of-community-leaders-believe-in-fairness-of-impeachment-cases/

[Lite Beer]

Poll: Discover Thainess campaign can boost tourism

BANGKOK, 18 Jan 2015 (NNT) – A recent survey by Rajabhat Suan Dusit University has found that most respondents see the Discover Thainess Tourism 2015 campaign as a way to boost tourism and the economy but view crime and political instability as obstacles to the tourism industry.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792818-poll-discover-thainess-campaign-can-boost-tourism/

[Lite Beer]

18 students injured in bomb explosion while receiving military training

BANGKOK: -- Eighteen secondary school students were slightly injured while receiving territory defence training at the Huay Lao Yang Reservoir in Nong Bua Lamphu's Muang district Saturday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792819-18-students-injured-in-bomb-explosion-while-receiving-military-training/

[Lite Beer]

Northern people warned of further temperature plunge

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department Sunday warned residents of northern provinces to brace themselves for further drop in temperature during the day. In its daily forecast issued at 4 am, the department said the temperature would still be low because of the influence of a strong high pressure mass from China over the northern part of Thailand.

It said a western air current over the North in the high altitude would cause the temperature to drop by one to three Celsius degrees. The mountaintop temperatures in the North are expected to be between 7 to 14 degrees.

-- The Nation 2015-01-18

[Lite Beer]

Fury as Indonesia executes foreigners by firing squad

JAKARTA (AFP) - Brazil and the Netherlands recalled their ambassadors from Indonesia and expressed fury Sunday after Jakarta defied their pleas and executed six convicted drugs offenders by firing squad, including two of their citizens.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792825-fury-as-indonesia-executes-foreigners-by-firing-squad/

[Lite Beer]

Poll shows people favour restriction on visits to national parks

BANGKOK: -- Most people want a time restriction for visitors to enter and leave national parks as a means to avoid potentially dangerous confrontation between humans and wild elephants.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792834-poll-shows-people-favour-restriction-on-visits-to-national-parks/

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck to make closing statement to NLA herself

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will make her closing statement in the rice-pledging impeachment case to the National Legislative Assembly on Thursday, he lawyer, Norawit Lalaeng said Sunday.

Norawit said it was not right for the NLA to prohibit Yingluck's representatives to answer questions on behalf of her last week.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Yingluck-to-make-closing-statement-to-NLA-herself-30252129.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-18

[Lite Beer]

Silom closed from noon to midnight /Bangkok Post

[Lite Beer]

Eight Malaysian tourists charged Bt114,080 by karaoke bar in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- A 34-year-old Malaysian tourist, Yim Wai Chuan, filed complaint with police in Chiang Mai late Saturday night, saying he and seven Malaysian friends were overcharged by a karaoke bar Friday night for Bt114,080.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792836-eight-malaysian-tourists-charged-bt114080-by-karaoke-bar-in-chiang-mai/