Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Feb 2015

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Justice Minister opens international meeting on drug precursor control

BANGKOK, 10 February 2015 (NNT) - Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya opened an international conference on drug precursor control in eight Asian countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gen Paiboon said the meeting was held to seek more effective measures to control drug precursors as their existence was still ignored in some countries while the substances were also used for industrial purposes in some other countries.

Senior drug-related officials from eight countries are participating in the conference namely China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.

According to the minister, official surveillance is casting on two types of drug precursor substances: those directly used as precursors and those used as ingredients of drugs.

He said the meeting would possibly discuss the prohibition of imports of some medicines which could be used as drug ingredients. However, the conclusion on which drugs were to be banned could be reached only after they found substitution medicines with relatively similar effects.


-- NNT 2015-02-10

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Japan's Abe urges Thailand to return soon to civilian rule
Tokyo, Japan | AFP |

TOKYO: -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged Thailand's military rulers Monday to return as soon as possible to civilian rule as he met his counterpart and former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha in Tokyo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798963-japans-abe-urges-thailand-to-return-soon-to-civilian-rule/

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Rice Berry Farmers Finally Receive 1.18 Million baht for Harvest

BANGKOK: -- A group of 71 farmers finally receive their first payment for a new type of grain called Rice Berry with promises of future proceeds of 11,000 baht per tonne.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799020-rice-berry-farmers-finally-receive-118-million-baht-for-harvest/

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Russian tourist robbed by two Thai women in Pattaya

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A Russian man was found injured and robbed inside a Pattaya bungalow room Monday after he took two Thai women to his room late Sunday night, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798961-russian-tourist-robbed-by-two-thai-women-in-pattaya/

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Chinese tourist charged Bt90,000 over damaged jet skis in Phuket

Phuket: - A Chinese tourist was charged Bt90,000 for two damaged jet skis he and his friends rented in Phuket on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798967-chinese-tourist-charged-bt90000-over-damaged-jet-skis-in-phuket/

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Wat Rong Khun Briefly Bans Chinese Tourists

CHIANG RAI: -- Wat Rong Khun temporarily banned Chinese tourists on February 3 after inappropriate restroom use. The ban lasted half a day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798967-chinese-tourist-charged-bt90000-over-damaged-jet-skis-in-phuket/

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Pest control team may have sparked SCB fire
The Nation February



Four were last people at scene of blaze: Police

BANGKOK: -- FOUR EMPLOYEES of a pest-control company have become prime suspects in the blaze that erupted on the 10th floor of the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) headquarters in Bangkok on Saturday night. They were reportedly the last people on that floor before the fire started.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799025-pest-control-team-may-have-sparked-scb-fire-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

No condom machines in schools: Kamol
Supinda na Mahachai
Pungchumpoo Prasert
The Nation

Other ways to fight hiv, students don't think much about sex: commission chief

BANGKOK: -- KAMOL RODKLAI, head of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), said yesterday that he would not allow the installation of condom machines at secondary schools.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798873-thailands-obec-rejects-condom-vending-machines-in-schools/page-2?p=9051262#entry9051262

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UPDATE:

JAPAN TRIP
Democracy coming soon, vows Prayut
THE NATION

TOKYO: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha told his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at a bilateral meeting in Tokyo yesterday that his government was committed to "an early restoration of democracy" with an election to be held by the end of this year or early next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798963-japans-abe-urges-thailand-to-return-soon-to-civilian-rule/#entry9051268

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UPDATE:

5 personnel injured in accident
The Nation



Anti-tank rocket launcher 'popped' at Army Ordnance Dept in Bangkok; second maintenance accident in two years

BANGKOK: -- FIVE CIVILIAN personnel were injured yesterday in an accident at the Army's Ordnance Department in Kiakkai in Bangkok during routine maintenance and inspection of anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, a deputy Army spokesman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798877-five-injured-in-rocket-launcher-repair-accident-at-bangkok-army-camp/page-2#entry9051276

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SURVEY: How Serious Is Crime Against Foreigners?

Vote here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798303-survey-how-serious-is-crime-against-foreigners/

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Transgender model appeals to NHRC over alleged ban from pub
Chanikan Phumhiran
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- TRANSGENDER model Nijshanaaj "Sarina Thai" Sudlarphaar yesterday filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over an alleged ban on transgenders at a pub in Bangkok's Royal City Avenue (RCA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799027-transgender-thai-model-appeals-to-nhrc-over-alleged-ban-from-pub/

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Get infrastructure on track, PM urged
SASITHORN ONGDEE
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- ACADEMICS yesterday urged Prime Minster General Prayut Chan-o-cha to put on the national agenda the need to fix structural problems relating to the railways before rushing to build a number of new railroads.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799028-get-infrastructure-on-track-thai-pm-urged/

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SOOPSIP
Chinese tourists in trouble again as White Temple soiled



BANGKOK: -- National artist Chalermchai Kositpipat garnered headlines in the Chinese media last week by banning Chinese tourists from his famous Wat Rong Khun - the "White Temple" - in Chiang Rai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799029-chinese-tourists-in-trouble-again-as-white-temple-soiled/

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Transparency, accelerated process key to PPP plan: Sommai
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- FINANCE MINISTER Sommai Phasee yesterday told foreign investors about the government's emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPP) in the current and long-term investment in Thailand's soft and hard infrastructures, and said the new PPP strategic plan should be submitted to the Cabinet in April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799030-transparency-accelerated-process-key-to-ppp-plan-thai-minister-sommai/

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STREET WISE
Bad ads and strategy thwart Thai tourism again
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- The past 12 months has been a difficult time for the aviation industry, with a series of air disasters. But has this affected global tourism? The answer is no.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799031-bad-ads-and-strategy-thwart-thai-tourism-again/

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EDITORIAL
Lawmakers should leave diplomacy to the professionals
The Nation

Politicians involved in a war of words with Washington are ignoring their duty - to return thailand to democracy

BANGKOK: -- In declining an invitation to testify before the National Legislative Assembly's foreign affairs committee this week, United States Chargé d'Affaires W Patrick Murphy has delivered another blow to Thailand's international reputation. The US envoy said appearing before the committee would run counter to diplomatic norms and practices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799032-thai-opinion-lawmakers-should-leave-diplomacy-to-the-professionals/

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Ukrainian arrested in Central Pattaya Money Exchange Armed Robbery Case



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday, Police arrested a Ukrainian man accused of conducting the armed robbery of a Central Pattaya Money Exchange Shop, despite claims he was in no way involved in the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799033-ukrainian-arrested-in-central-pattaya-money-exchange-armed-robbery-case/

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Frenchman assaulted at South Pattaya Motel



PATTAYA: -- A Frenchman sustained serious facial injuries at a South Pattaya Motel on Monday Morning and Police are now searching for two Thai women who are accused of conducting the vicious assault.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799034-frenchman-assaulted-at-south-pattaya-motel/

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7 injured in Minivan crash in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A Minivan transporting passengers from Na-Jomtien and Pattaya to Bangkok, was involved in a crash with a coach at a u-turn exit on the Sukhumvit Road in North Pattaya on Monday Night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799035-7-injured-in-minivan-crash-in-north-pattaya/

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Soldier mistaken for Necklace thief and beaten by residents in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A domestic dispute resulted in the assault of a Soldier after residents of a South Pattaya Village mistook the man for a necklace thief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799036-soldier-mistaken-for-necklace-thief-and-beaten-by-residents-in-south-pattaya/

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Truck Fire at Central Pattaya Underpass Construction Site



PATTAYA: -- A truck fitted with a loader-crane burst into flames on Monday afternoon after it came into contact with live power cables. No injuries or fatalities were reported as a pair of gloves is thought to have prevented one worker from receiving a potentially fatal electric shock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799037-truck-fire-at-central-pattaya-underpass-construction-site/

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Disney World will come to Thailand, Siam Park City CEO predicts
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Walt Disney World

BANGKOK: -- A theme park tycoon said today he is convinced world-class theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios will open in Thailand within a decade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799038-disney-world-will-come-to-thailand-siam-park-city-ceo-predicts/

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Dr Visanu says NCPO has the power to disallow Ms Yingluck to leave the country



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order has the power under the martial law to forbid former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to leave the country, Deputy Prime Minister VisanuKrua-ngarm said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799039-dr-visanu-says-ncpo-has-the-power-to-disallow-ms-yingluck-to-leave-the-country/

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Decision on Yingluck going overseas deferred
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) reaffirmed yesterday that its decision on former PM Yingluck Shinawatra's request to travel overseas should be postponed until there is a court verdict in the rice-pledging case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799040-decision-on-yingluck-going-overseas-deferred/

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Irrigation chief still wants to build Mae Wong dam
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) chief still hopes to build the controversial Mae Wong Dam in Nakhon Sawan province and says the loss of 12,000 rai (4,744 acres) of forestland for the project will be compensated with 30,000 rai of reforested area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799041-irrigation-chief-still-wants-to-build-mae-wong-dam/

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Ban on fires proposed for North
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment wants to impose a strict ban on fires in nine provinces in the North during a critical 60-day period designated by local administrators, as part of an action plan that requires approval from the Cabinet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799042-ban-on-fires-proposed-for-north-thailand/

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BURNING ISSUE
Power struggle traps millions in scheme hospitals hate
Chularat Saengpassa

BANGKOK: -- The conflict between the Public Health Ministry and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) continues to intensify, leaving millions of Thais in a hostage-like situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799043-thai-politics-power-struggle-traps-millions-in-scheme-hospitals-hate/

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Panel challenged over inheritance tax
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA)'s ad hoc committee on an inheritance tax bill is yet to find common ground on a minimum amount of inheritance that would require tax payments and a tax rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799044-panel-challenged-over-thai-inheritance-tax/

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Obama, Merkel rally behind diplomacy in Ukraine conflict
By JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel rallied behind efforts to reach a long-shot diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine Monday, but they offered no clear path for how the West would proceed if talks this week fail.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799045-obama-merkel-rally-behind-diplomacy-in-ukraine-conflict/