Thailand Live Friday 13 Feb 2015

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PRD discusses the planning of the 2015 Red Cross Fair

BANGKOK, 13 February 2015 (NNT) – The Public Relations Department has started discussing the preparation for this year’s Red Cross Fair.

PRD’s Deputy Director-General Prawin Pattanapong on Thursday chaired a meeting on the public relations of the 2015 Red Cross Fair. The meeting was joined by representatives of related state and private organizations.

This year’s Red Cross Fair will be held on a theme that celebrates the 60th birthday anniversary of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who is the Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society.

The event will be held between March 30 and April 7 at Suan Amporn, the Royal Plaza, Sanam Sua Pa, Si Ayutthaya Road and Ratchadamnoen Nok Road.

A special activity planned for this year’s Red Cross Fair is a parade-float contest, to honor HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

More information can be found at www.redcrossfundraising.org and www.redcross.or.th.


-- NNT 2015-02-13

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Dam will not collapse, EIT vows
Nisanart Kangwanwong,
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

Fears mount over Mae Suai Reservoir cracks

BANGKOK: -- THE ENGINEERING Institute of Thailand (EIT) has joined other agencies in trying to ease public concern over the safety of the Mae Suai Reservoir in Chiang Rai province in the face of earthquake fears.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799956-dam-will-not-collapse-eit-vows/

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Thai Wildlife Officials: Tiger Temple Not Abusing Tigers

Thai wildlife officials say the Tiger Temple is not abusing their tigers. But the government may step in to care for the big cats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799953-thai-wildlife-officials-tiger-temple-not-abusing-tigers/

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Thailand Approves 23 Projects Worth $2.36 Billion

Thailand’s investment agency has announced the approval of 23 projects with a value of 77.23 billion baht. Energy and aviation are the majority of projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799951-thailand-approves-23-projects-worth-236-billion/

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Chon Buri thief sprinkles coins as "bait"

Chon Buri:- Crimes happen because criminals are greedy. Well, not always.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799906-chon-buri-thief-sprinkles-coins-as-bait/

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Thai boys "love to buy oversized condoms" and thus risk diseases

Bangkok:- Many Thai youths do not like to use condoms and those who use the sheaths often use oversized ones, and thus exposing them to sex-related diseases and HIV, a senior health official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799899-thai-boys-love-to-buy-oversized-condoms-and-thus-risk-diseases/

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NACC Threatened With Lawsuit for Delay in 2010 Crackdown Case
By Khaosod English


A Redshirt demonstrator hides behind a pile of burning tires while he watches the movement of soldiers in Din Daeng district, 18 May 2010

BANGKOK — The brother of a volunteer medic killed in the 2010 crackdown on Redshirt protesters has vowed to file a lawsuit against Thailand’s national anti-graft agency for its slow progress in prosecuting those responsible for the violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799957-nacc-threatened-with-lawsuit-for-delay-in-2010-crackdown-case/

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UPDATE:

Yingluck's lawyers seek review of case
The Nation



PM may seek written agreement from conflicting parties before election

BANGKOK: -- FORMER PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra's legal team has urged the Office of the Attorney-General to review its decision to pursue a corruption case against her, arguing that there is insufficient evidence as the investigation is still incomplete.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799892-lawyer-asks-prosecutors-to-review-decision-to-indict-yingluck/#entry9064269

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NATION ANALYSIS
Seeking asylum not yet an option for Yingluck
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

Despite the former Premier insisting she will stay to defend herself, getting refugee status might benefit her

BANGKOK: -- SEEKING political asylum might be the best solution for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, though it might not be the smartest, as all eyes are trained on her at the moment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799958-seeking-asylum-not-yet-an-option-for-yingluck/

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Driver arrested for refusing breath test
Montien Intaket,
Kanathit Srihirundej
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A FEMALE driver yesterday became the first motorist to be punished for refusing a breathalyser test, said the police, who added that they were forced to tow away her car with her still inside.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799959-driver-arrested-for-refusing-breath-test/

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UPDATE:

PM woos private sector to build high-speed trains
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha has invited the private sector to build short-distance, high-speed trains to attractive sites near Bangkok in order to facilitate tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799822-pm-initiates-idea-to-build-high-speed-trains-to-pattaya-and-hua-hin/page-2#entry9064287

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Klong Padung Krung Kasem floating market packed
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The new floating market near Government House was packed out on its opening day yesterday as people shopped and felt a sense of nostalgia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799960-bangkok-klong-padung-krung-kasem-floating-market-packed/

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New hospitality school targets Asean market
THE NATION



CHA-AM: -- THE Regent Group yesterday launched its Bt80-million Regent Cha-am Hospitality School in Phetchaburi province to offer international academic courses that will enhance the skills of Thai professionals so that they can work at international hotels in Asean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799961-cha-am-new-hospitality-school-targets-asean-market/

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Abenomics to draw more Thai FDI
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE JAPAN External Trade Organisation (Jetro) office in Bangkok expects to see more Thai businesses invest in Japan, especially in foods, energy, hotels, and other services under the Japanese government'spolicy to draw more foreign direct investment (FDI) and help revitalise economic growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799962-abenomics-to-draw-more-thai-fdi/

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EDITORIAL
Beefing up martial law sends wrong signal
The Nation

Lawmakers must reject this move to curb our basic civil rights

BANGKOK: -- The recent proposal to amend the 1955 Act on the Organisation of Military Courts should set alarm bells ringing. The move sends the wrong signal both at home and abroad about what kind of country we might become.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799963-thai-editorial-beefing-up-martial-law-sends-wrong-signal/

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Central Pattaya Daytime Bar raided by District Officials and Army



PATTAYA: -- A popular daytime bar located in Central Pattaya was the subject of a raid on Thursday, following a tip-off that sex and drugs parties were taking place at the location.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799964-central-pattaya-daytime-bar-raided-by-district-officials-and-army/

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Pattaya Police assist Cambodian abducted & assaulted following Facebook Rant



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday, Pattaya Police received information regarding a Cambodian restaurant worker who had been abducted and then taken to a remote location and then assaulted by three men who are believed to work for his previous employer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799965-pattaya-police-assist-cambodian-abducted-assaulted-following-facebook-rant/

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Suspected burglar caught by residents at Central Pattaya apartment



PATTAYA: -- A man, who had been released from Prison on 9th February, was caught burglarizing an apartment as the occupiers slept. Other residents came to the rescue and detained the man before Police arrived to arrest him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799966-suspected-burglar-caught-by-residents-at-central-pattaya-apartment/

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Taxi Driver Busted for Stealing Tourists' Bags at BKK Airport
By Khaosod English


Tourist police press conference following the arrest of a taxi driver who allegedly stole luggage from Chinese tourists at the airport, 11 Feb 2015.

BANGKOK — A taxi driver has been arrested for allegedly stealing luggage from Chinese tourists at Don Mueang Airport in northern Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799969-taxi-driver-busted-for-stealing-tourists-bags-at-don-mueang-airport/

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Two Russians nabbed in Phuket for overstaying visas
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Denis Riabtcev, 32, (left) and Mikhail Mokratcov, 45, will be barred from Thailand for five years.

PHUKET: -- Two Russian nationals face being blacklisted from Thailand for five years after being found to have overstayed their visas after being stopped by Immigration police in Nai Harn Wednesday afternoon (February 11).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799970-two-russians-nabbed-in-phuket-for-overstaying-visas/

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BURNING ISSUE
Will new railway projects contribute to well being of Thais?
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: -- It's good that the government is planning to build many dual-track railway routes connecting Thailand with other Asean countries. This should certainly help boost trade and investment, which should in the long run translate to Thai people's well being.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799971-will-new-railway-projects-contribute-to-well-being-of-thais/

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OHCHR 'misunderstood' military court amendment
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) said yesterday that the concerns expressed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Amnesty International that an amendment to the 1955 Act on the Organisation of Military Courts would affect civilians were unfounded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799974-ohchr-misunderstood-military-court-amendment/

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Mosquito spray may have caused SCB fire
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- INVESTIGATION has found that a mosquito-fumigation service might have caused the fire at Siam Commercial Bank headquarters last weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799976-mosquito-spray-may-have-caused-scb-fire/

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Long-stay tourism drive aimed at Japanese
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Ministry has initiated a plan to promote long-stay tourism by focusing on Japanese tourists one of Thailand's biggest inbound markets, said Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799978-long-stay-tourism-drive-aimed-at-japanese/

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NRC panel to help political detainees of last decade
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council's panel on reconciliation plans to assist people detained in connection with political cases arising from 10 years of political conflict, NRC member Boonlert Kachayudhadej said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799981-thai-nrc-panel-to-help-political-detainees-of-last-decade/

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Egyptian court orders Al-Jazeera journalists freed on bail
By MAGGIE MICHAEL

CAIRO (AP) — A court ordered two Al-Jazeera journalists freed on bail Thursday after more than a year in detention on terrorism charges in a case that human rights groups have called a sham.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799984-egyptian-court-orders-al-jazeera-journalists-freed-on-bail/

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Boehner says Obama military force proposal needs toughening
By DAVID ESPO and MATTHEW DALY

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans vowed Thursday to toughen President Barack Obama's day-old legislation to authorize military force against Islamic State fighters, and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi warned, "It's going to be hard" to find common ground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799985-boehner-says-obama-military-force-proposal-needs-toughening/

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Drug abuse in Iran rising despite executions, police raids
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI

VERDIJ, Iran (AP) — Iran is breaking bad.

Officials say methamphetamine production and abuse of hard drugs are skyrocketing in the country despite potentially lethal criminal penalties for users if they are caught. The increase is partly because Iran is the main gateway for the region's top drug exporter, Afghanistan — and partly because Iranian dealers are profiting so handsomely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799987-drug-abuse-in-iran-rising-despite-executions-police-raids/

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Services, prayers for 3 fatally shot in North Carolina
EMERY P. DALESIO, Associated Press

RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) — More than 5,000 people gathered for funeral and prayer services Thursday for three young adults gunned down in what police call a long-running dispute over parking spaces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799988-services-prayers-for-3-fatally-shot-in-north-carolina/

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Fire breaks out again at Samut Prakan's Praksa landfill

BANGKOK: -- A big fire broke out at the Praksa landfill at 1 am Friday.

The blaze occurred at a spot less than 1 kilometre away from the massive fire that happened last year.

Fire engines were still trying to control the blaze.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Fire-breaks-out-again-at-Samut-Prakans-Praksa-land-30253993.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-13