Thailand Live Friday 6 Feb 2015

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CDC considers decentralisation and local administration

BANGKOK, 6 February 2015 (NNT) – The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) convened on the proposed issue of decentralizing power and the administrative management in the local level, said the spokesperson.

The Spokesperson of the CDC Gen. Lertrat Rattanawanit revealed that the CDC members discussed the decentralization of power and management in the local administration in a meeting today.

He said that the first article in the 7th section calls for the government to allocate independent goverance to the local administrative organizations, arrange the local administration body that is suitable for the management in each area, decentralize authority to the local governing body and to promote public participation in the management and governance of the area in compliance to the law.

The CDC will hold a meeting on 6 February 2015 to consider the degree of authority that each local administrative organizations will possess, said the CDC Spokesman.

The CDC, along with the National Reform Council’s sub-committee on public opinion will hold a seminar on ‘The New Principles for the Politics, Politicians, and the Political Institutes’ to gather public opinion and feedback that is beneficial to the constitution drafting process.

Delegates from political parties and related persons are invited to join the seminar that will facilitate a common understanding of political institutions to all sides.


-- NNT 2015-02-06

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Gary Glitter found guilty of child sex offences

Singer convicted of string of offences in 1970s and 1980s, including attempted rape of an eight-year-old child

Former Glam rock star Gary Glitter faces spending the remainder of his life prison after being found guilty of child sex offences on young girls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797955-gary-glitter-found-guilty-of-child-sex-offences/

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Canadian found hanged in Phuket home. Suicide, police say

Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: A Canadian man was found dead this afternoon (February 5) in his Rawai home. Police have ruled the death a suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797939-canadian-found-hanged-in-phuket-home-suicide-police-say/

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Thailand's Consumer Confidence Index drops in January
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 6 -- Thailand's Consumer Confidence Index declined in January as people doubted economic recovery and were concerned about the low prices of agricultural products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797973-thailands-consumer-confidence-index-drops-in-january/

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Raid makes a THB100-million dent in illegal supplements racket

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A huge haul of illegal dietary supplements were seized by the Department of Special Investigations from several companies in Bangkok and neighboring Samut Sakhon province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797893-raid-makes-a-thb100-million-dent-in-illegal-supplements-racket/

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SIAM PARAGON EXPLOSION
Hunt on for 'Dragon'
The Nation



Twin bombs suspects reported to have political connection; police believe duo changed their clothes after planting bombs

BANGKOK: -- ONE OF the two men suspected of planting and detonating two pipe bombs near Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok last Sunday has been identified by his alias — "Dragon" — and he is reportedly based in Samut Prakan, where he is known for his connection to a former politician, a security source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797977-siam-paragon-bombs-hunt-on-for-dragon/

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UPDATE:

Fake palace statement fabricated here: police
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLICE HAVE discovered that the fake announcement purportedly issued by the Royal Household Bureau had been created inside the country, not overseas as believed earlier, the Royal Thai Police spokesman said yesterday. A manhunt has been launched for the person behind it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797830-thai-red-shirt-leader-jatuporn-accuses-govt-of-looking-for-a-fight/page-4?p=9034381#entry9034381

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CONSTITUTION WATCH
New provision gives people a role in local administration
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

MOVE IS PART OF DRAFTERS' AGENDA TO GET CITIZENS MORE POLITICALLY ENGAGED; NO SIGNS OF PAO-TAO MERGER

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday came up with a new provision that allows citizens or local communities to contribute to and support their local administrative organisations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797981-thai-constitution-new-provision-gives-people-a-role-in-local-administration/

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NRC gives NACC until April to get its house in order
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL REFORM Council president Thienchay Kiranandana yesterday dismissed the possibility of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) being dissolved, saying the anti-graft agency just needs restructuring to boost its efficiency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797982-thailand-s-nrc-gives-nacc-until-april-to-get-its-house-in-order/

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Many nurses suffer from stress
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION


Krisada Sawaengdee

SURVEY FINDS 10% NEED TO RESORT TO SLEEPING PILLS, MANY FACE WORK-RELATED ACCIDENTS

BANGKOK: -- NEARLY HALF of Thai nurses suffer from high levels of work-related stress because of shifts that last more than 12 hours a day, a nationwide survey has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797983-many-thai-nurses-suffer-from-stress/

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SURVEY
Recent bombs unlikely to have serious impact on consumer confidence, survey finds
Petchanet Pratruangkrai

BANGKOK: -- Consumer confidence will not be seriously dented from the Sunday's double explosions in Bangkok's shopping district if there are no similar incidents or violence in the future, a new survey has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797984-recent-bombs-unlikely-to-have-serious-impact-on-consumer-confidence-thai-survey-finds/

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PETROLEUM BID
Amendment saves petroleum bid deadline
Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Mineral Fuels Department has reduced resistance to the 21st petroleum concession auction by adding a condition that the government can introduce a production-sharing contract for three potential concession blocks within the first four years so that it can still keep the February 18 deadline for bid submissions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797985-amendment-saves-petroleum-bid-deadline/

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GDP
Growth to pick up in H2: BOT
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Prasarn Trairatvorakul

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul believes gross domestic product could expand by 4 per cent this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797986-growth-to-pick-up-in-h2-bank-of-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
Don't give the bombers what they want
The Nation

Sunday's attack at a Bangkok shopping mall was meant to sow fear among the public

BANGKOK: -- The recent bomb attack, regardless of how small the damage caused, is a reminder that Thailand has yet to shake off the cycle of political violence that has plagued the country for years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797987-thai-editorial-dont-give-the-bombers-what-they-want/

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OVERDRIVE
Greece has nothing to lose by heading for the exit
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- Greece is paying a heavy price for handing over its money-printing press to the European Central Bank. Yesterday, the ECB announced it would not accept Greek government bonds as collateral on short-term loans to the country's banks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797988-greece-has-nothing-to-lose-by-heading-for-the-exit/

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What does Putin really want in Ukraine?
Nina Khrushcheva
Reuters

NEW YORK: -- onfusion, confusion, confusion! This is how Russian President Vladimir Putin, increasingly isolated from Western conversations, keeps the world on its toes. Because only he has any answers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797989-what-does-putin-really-want-in-ukraine/

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UPDATE:

Police seek arrest of Australian owner of South Pattaya “Naked Sushi” Restaurant



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday afternoon, and in response to complaints via social media regarding a “Naked Sushi” Restaurant in South Pattaya, over 50 officials from various Police Divisions and Government Departments, conducted a raid on the venue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797950-pattaya-sushi-shop-manager-charged-over-nude-menu/#entry9034449

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200,000 Baht Kitchen Fire at Jomtien Housing Estate



PATTAYA: -- A house located inside a Housing Estate in Jomtien, sustained 200,000 Baht’s worth of damage in the early hours of Thursday following a fire in the kitchen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797990-200000-baht-kitchen-fire-at-jomtien-housing-estate/

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Cambodian Murdered at North Pattaya Restaurant



PATTAYA: -- Banglamung Police were called to a Seafood Restaurant in Naklua just before daybreak on Thursday to investigate the suspected murder of a Cambodian waiter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797991-cambodian-murdered-at-north-pattaya-restaurant/

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Thai alliance hinges on return to democracy: US diplomat

AFP

WASHINGTON: -- The United States will not fully reactivate its military alliance with Thailand as long as the junta-controlled country refuses to restore democracy, a US diplomat warned Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797993-thai-alliance-hinges-on-return-to-democracy-us-diplomat/

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Phuket to reduce number of teen pregnancies
Nattha Thepbamrung


Chief of the Health Promoting Department, Phuket Public Health Office, Wanlapa Jeenloy understands the need to reduce teenage pregnancies in Phuket.

Phuket: -- Phuket Public Health Office are set to put measures in place to reduce the number of teen pregnancies (15-19-years-old) after it was revealed that the number of teen mothers in Phuket has now reached over the standard (50/1000).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797994-phuket-to-reduce-number-of-teen-pregnancies/

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Dr Visanu : Election possible next January



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Visanu Krua-ngarma said Thursday that only 3-4 election-related laws would be required before there is to be an election and the election could take place in January next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797995-dr-visanu-election-possible-next-january/

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TAT ready to hold Chinese New Year celebrations at 12 tourist destinations



BANGKOK: -- The upcoming Chinese New Year will see grand celebrations in 12 major cities in Thailand to be held by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote tourism during the long holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797996-tat-ready-to-hold-chinese-new-year-celebrations-at-12-tourist-destinations/

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UPDATE:

Blast rocks Narathiwat; police remove banners with separatist slogans
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- A ROADSIDE bomb exploded yesterday in Narathiwat's Chanae district, while banners carrying separatist messages were found posted at several locations in two other provinces in the deep South. No casualties were reported from the bombing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797871-deep-south-banners-decry-siamese-colonization/#entry9034507

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Thai jobs market contracted in 2014: ILO
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S EMPLOYMENT contracted by 691,000 last year in the face of a sluggish economy and a notable decline in the number of men working in agriculture and construction, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797998-thai-jobs-market-contracted-in-2014-ilo/

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Prayut to meet Prince Naruhito, witness signing of bilateral pacts
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- JAPAN'S CROWN Prince Naruhito will grant Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha an audience when the general visits Tokyo on Sunday to enhance economic cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797999-prayut-to-meet-japans-crown-prince-naruhito-witness-signing-of-bilateral-pacts/

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Drafters to hold seminar in bid to calm criticism of its political reforms
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee will hold a seminar this month centred on the political system, politicians and political institutions in the hope of settling differences and creating understanding among the CDC, political groups and parties, and the National Reform Council.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798000-drafters-to-hold-seminar-in-bid-to-calm-criticism-of-its-political-reforms/

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Thai Justice Minister discusses drug control with China

BANGKOK, 6 February 2015 (NNT) -The Minister of Justice Gen Paiboon Koomchaya sought ways to strengthen Thailand's drug suppression when he recently met with his Chinese counterpart in China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798001-thai-justice-minister-discusses-drug-control-with-china/

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Is America at War With Radical Islam?
Critics insist that Obama's reluctance to say so robs the struggle of moral clarity, but such attacks reflect a muddled understanding of the fight.
PETER BEINART

NEW YORK: -- If there’s one thing top Republicans know, it’s that America can’t defeat terrorism unless we call it by its real name. “We are in a religious war with radical Islamists," Lindsey Graham recently told Fox News. “When I hear the President of the United States and his chief spokesperson failing to admit that we’re in a religious war, it really bothers me.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798003-is-america-at-war-with-radical-islam/

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Jordan launches new airstrikes after vowing harsh war on IS
By KARIN LAUB and MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798004-jordan-bombs-is-after-pilot-death/