Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Feb 2015

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Makha Bucha ceremony to be held at 30,000 temples nationwide

BANGKOK, 24 February 2015 (NNT) – Buddhist agencies and temples in Thailand have joined hands to hold the 2015 Makha Bucha ceremony at 30,000 temples nationwide on 2-4 March 2015.

According to Phra Phromsit, member of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand, the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand has joined hands with the National Office of Buddhism and network agencies to organize the Buddhism Week event celebrating Makha Bucha Ceremony during 2-4 March 2015.

The main ceremony will be held at Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan temple in Bangkok with buddhist rites and sermons, while the public are invited to pay homage to the Sarira, the Buddhist relics certified as the genuine ash of the Lord Buddha enclosed in a stupa at Wat Saket temple.

The celebrations will also be held at the Phutthamonthon park in Nakhon Pathom province and at 30,000 temples nationwide.

In addition to the Makha Bucha ceremony, on 6 March 2015 Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the molding ceremony of the Somdet Phra Buddhacarya’s statue at Wat Saket temple. The statue will honor his contributions to Buddhism in Thailand and abroad.

Makha Bucha is an important Buddhist celebration observed by Buddhists in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand on the full moon of the 3rd lunar month. This day marks the first teaching of Buddhist principles or the 'Ovadapatimokha' by Lord Buddha to the 1,250 disciples gathered to him without being summoned.

Makha Bucha Day in 2015 is on 4 March.

-- NNT 2015-02-24

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German businessman dies of gun wound in Pattaya

Pattaya, Chon Buri: -- A German businessman died of a gun wound on his head early Monday while his girlfriend told police that he turned the gun on himself.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802932-german-businessman-dies-of-gun-wound-in-pattaya/

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'No resolution' issued on abbot
PAKAMARD JAICHALARD
THE NATION



Sangha Supreme CouncIl's Phanom contradIcts earlIer report that body ruled In favour of Dhammachayo

BANGKOK: -- THE SANGHA Supreme Council did not issue a resolution on the Dhammakaya Temple's abbot Phra Dhammachayo at its meeting last Friday, according to SSC secretary general Phanom Sonsill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802991-no-resolution-issued-on-abbot-phra-dhammachayo/

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CONSTITUTION WATCH
National ethics body to be set up
KRIS BHROMSUTHI,
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION
PATTAYA

Public agency will impeach politicians who violate MPs' new code of ethics; job taken off ombudsman as it took too long

BANGKOK: -- AN INDEPENDENT body called the National Ethics Assembly that "belongs to the people" will be established under the new constitution to impeach politicians who violate the newly drafted "politicians' code of ethics".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802992-thai-constitution-national-ethics-body-to-be-set-up/

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50-year-old man lives alone in the wild for years

Amnart Charoen:- A 50-year-old man has been living alone in the wild on a mountain in Amnart Charoen’s Chanumarn district since the day of communist fighting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802950-50-year-old-man-lives-alone-in-the-wild-for-years/

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Sport fund levy 'will force up price of liquor, smokes'
THE NATION

CIGARETTE and liquor prices will likely increase due to operators being forced pay into the newly established Sport Fund.

In January the National Legislative Assembly passed the Thailand Sports Act mandating that the Sports Fund receive a 2-per-cent annual contribution from every cigarette and liquor exporter, importer and producer based on how much excise tax they pay. The Act is expected to come into effect this quarter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802993-sport-fund-levy-will-force-up-price-of-liquor-smokes/

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Govt to recover forestland from plantations, resorts
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Forestry Department yesterday unveiled an operation to reclaim at least 30,000 rai (4,800 hectares) of forestland in Phetchabun's Nam Nao and Lom Kao districts - as well as Loei's Dai Sai and Wang Saphung districts - which were encroached on and turned into rubber or ginger plantations or resorts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802994-thai-govt-to-recover-forestland-from-plantations-resorts/

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Jailing of actors for lese majeste stirs criticism
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- TWO THEATRE ACTORS, one of who is a university student, were sentenced to two and a half years in prison for staging a play in 2013 that was deemed defamatory to the monarchy.

The Criminal Court verdict was met by swift condemnation from rights groups, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) calling it "a serious blow to freedom of expression in Thailand" and Amnesty International calling it "an assault on freedom of expression".

Patiwat Saraiyaem, 24, a fourth year student at Khon Kaen University, and Pornthip Munkong, 27, former coordinator of Prakai Fai Theatre Troupe, were found guilty of lese majeste for performing in the play "A Wolf's Bride". The play was staged at Thammasat University to mark the 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising.

The pair was arrested in August last year on lese majeste charges, and for widely distributing the play via the Internet. With both pleading guilty, their sentence was reduced from five to two and half years.

The courtroom was packed with members of the defendants' family and friends, who reacted to the verdict with tears.

The judges said the sentence would not be suspended even though the defendants pleaded guilty and had no criminal records, because their action was clearly defamatory to the monarchy, which is revered by the Thai people.

After the verdict was announced, Patiwat said he "did not wish to file an appeal", and some members of the audience began singing songs of support as the two were led back to prison.

Pawinee Chumsri, a pro bono lawyer from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Group, said they would respect the defendants' decision to not appeal the verdict. Her clients had already spent seven months in prison. Also, she said, since applications for bail had been rejected for a fifth time, so the only hope for them was a royal pardon.

The lawyer said that the sentence was expected and she was "satisfied", though they would have to wait and see if the prosecutor would bring more charges against the two.

Meanwhile, HRW Asia's director Brad Adams issued a statement yesterday saying the verdict was a "serious blow to freedom of expression in Thailand" and "another dark mark on Thailand's already battered international reputation.

"Vowing to protect the monarchy, the junta has accelerated efforts to hunt down alleged lese majeste actions and statements, and prosecute people for peaceful expression of views, like conducting a play, posting online, or making a speech."

Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International's research director for Southeast Asia, said in a statement: "This is an assault on freedom of expression - it is appalling that Patiwat and Pornthip are now facing jail time just for staging a play. Since taking power last year, Thailand's military authorities have made unprecedented use of the lese majeste law to silence and target critics who are simply peacefully exercising their human rights.

"The pair should never have had to stand trial in the first place and the verdict should be overturned and sentences expunged, regardless of their guilty plea, which should not be considered as an admission of criminal responsibility … Amnesty International considers all those who have been jailed solely for peacefully expressing their opinions to be prisoners of conscience, who should be released immediately and unconditionally."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Jailing-of-actors-for-lese-majeste-stirs-criticism-30254727.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-24

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AirAsia uses fuel savings to launch half-price deals
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MALAYSIAN low-cost carrier AirAsia has launched an Asean half-price promotion in the wake of the Flight QZ8501 crash in December that killed 162 people, with the carrier able to introduce the campaign because of its high jet-fuel hedging.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802995-airasia-uses-fuel-savings-to-launch-half-price-deals/

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Uncertainty over US rate hike causes concern
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ECONOMISTS said yesterday that expectations of an early increase in US interest rates might loom larger, while agreeing that Greece and European institutions would eventually find a deal that would keep the Greeks within the euro zone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802996-uncertainty-over-us-rate-hike-causes-concern/

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STREETWISE
The meaning of integrity in Thai society
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- There was a long pause. Kasikornbank president Teeranun Srihong was midway through a talk on his bank's anti-corruption practices when he hit an obstacle. The snag was the English word "integrity" - a must-have quality for the directors and CEOs he was addressing at an anti-corruption training programme hosted by the Thai Institute of Directors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802997-the-meaning-of-integrity-in-thai-society/

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Man sought for BTS bomb scare
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: @online_society

BANGKOK: -- A man spotted leaving a mysterious cardboard box at BTS Phayathai station will be prosecuted for alarming the public after a bomb unit was called in to dispose of it, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802998-man-sought-for-bts-bomb-scare/

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Supreme Court to choose panel for Yingluck case
The nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court will today hold a meeting with all judges to select a nine-member panel to hear the case on the rice-pledging scheme against former PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802999-supreme-court-to-choose-panel-for-yingluck-case/

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Parties can make no moves until general election: Prayut
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on political groups to not make any political moves until general elections are held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803000-parties-can-make-no-moves-until-general-election-prayut/

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Prawit, Army chief on 'urgent' Cambodia visit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PRIME Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr yesterday headed to Cambodia for an urgent visit, which sources said was related to border affairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803001-prawit-army-chief-on-urgent-cambodia-visit/

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Commerce Ministry official gets into trouble over falling shallot prices
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

A SENIOR Commerce Ministry official in Chiang Mai was abruptly demoted for allegedly ignoring the protests of shallot farmers, even though he had apparently suggested measures to ease the problem of falling prices earlier, a source from the ministry said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803003-commerce-ministry-official-gets-into-trouble-over-falling-shallot-prices/

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Wild jail brawl leaves 2 dead, 6 convicts hurt
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After a brawl at Kanchanaburi's Thong Pha Phum Prison in which two inmates were killed and six injured on Sunday, prison warden Paithoon Wisetsiri has been transferred to an inactive post. Corrections Department chief Wittaya Suriyawong said a fact-finding committee was probing the fatal fight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803004-thai-jail-brawl-leaves-2-dead-6-convicts-hurt/

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Meal of puffer fish kills 2 men in 60s
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chanrit Boonsorn, 60, was pronounced dead at the local hospital yesterday. His 64-year-old neighbour in tambon Hua Reu, Boonma Jumket, also died on Saturday after eating soup made from puffer fish he caught in Lam Nam Siew.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803005-meal-of-puffer-fish-kills-2-men/

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THAI to sell 32 aircraft
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) is hoping to sell 32 of its aircraft this year as part of its financial rehabilitation and route-cutting plan with the aim of turning a profit by yearend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803006-thai-to-sell-32-aircraft/

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Photo-fits issued for 2 suspects wanted in South Pattaya Helipad sexual assault case



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police are still investigating the disturbing case whereby an 18 year old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by 3 Thai men, who abducted her at knife-point. Her 19 year old boyfriend was held at gun point nearby and heard screams from the woman but was powerless to prevent the attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803007-photo-fits-issued-for-2-suspects-wanted-in-south-pattaya-helipad-sexual-assault-case/

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Hotel Worker killed in East Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- On Monday Morning a Hotel Worker was killed following a head-on collision involving his motorbike and a pick-up truck travelling in the opposite direction close to the Maprachan Reservoir in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803009-hotel-worker-killed-in-east-pattaya-road-crash/

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UPDATE:

German shoots himself in the head and later dies at Pattaya Hospital



PATTAYA: -- A German businessman, who imports Wine into Thailand, reportedly shot himself in the head at his luxury home in East Pattaya early on Monday Morning following an argument with his girlfriend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802932-german-businessman-dies-of-gun-wound-in-pattaya/#entry9109466

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Thai Kids Learning To Speak Nottingham Slang
Published by Stickboy BKK

BANGKOK: -- An English teacher in Buriram province has been teaching the kids in his classes some local slang from his hometown of Nottingham much to the amusement of his fellow Thai teachers and school staff.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803010-thai-kids-learning-to-speak-nottingham-slang-video/

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Families of 3 missing UK girls urge 'Please come home!'
By SYLVIA HUI

LONDON (AP) — Turkish police searched Monday for three missing British schoolgirls believed to be headed to Syria to join the Islamic State extremist group as their frightened families issued urgent pleas begging the girls to return home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803014-families-of-3-missing-uk-girls-urge-please-come-home/

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Historic US-Iran nuclear deal could be taking shape
By GEORGE JAHN and BRADLEY KLAPPER

GENEVA (AP) — Edging toward a historic compromise, the U.S. and Iran reported progress Monday on a deal that would clamp down on Tehran's nuclear activities for at least 10 years but then slowly ease restrictions on programs that could be used to make atomic arms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803016-historic-us-iran-nuclear-deal-could-be-taking-shape/

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Russia and US spar over global crises at UN meeting
By EDITH M. LEDERER

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov implicitly accused the United States on Monday of violating U.N. principles by bombing Syria, occupying Iraq "under false pretenses" and manipulating a Security Council mandate to destroy and create chaos in Libya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803018-russia-and-us-spar-over-global-crises-at-un-meeting/

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Saving for retirement: Obama proposal sets up Wall St. fight
By JIM KUHNHENN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tapping the anxieties of aging baby boomers, President Barack Obama on Monday called for tougher standards on brokers who manage retirement savings accounts, a change that could affect the investment advice received by many Americans and aggravate tensions between the White House and Wall Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803020-saving-for-retirement-obama-proposal-sets-up-wall-st-fight/

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Mobile phone-assisted birth on tour bus

Nakhon Phanom: – A Lao woman passenger, assisted by another bus passenger receiving instruction from mobile-phone, has given birth to a baby boy on the bus en route through the remote PhuPhan mountain range.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803012-mobile-phone-assisted-birth-on-tour-bus/

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Tourist boat fined for unauthorised installation of undersea aquarium

Krabi: – Police and harbour officials have imposed 10,000 baht fine on a tourist boat anchored off Phi Phi Island for installing undersea aquarium without licensing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803011-tourist-boat-fined-for-unauthorised-installation-of-undersea-aquarium/

[thai tech]

DLT Check in app lets passengers rate Bangkok taxi drivers

Officials from the Department of Land Transport have announced the launch of a mobile phone application that allows passengers to rate and provide feedback on their experiences with Bangkok taxi drivers.

The app, named DLT Check in, allows passengers to log the license plate and location of the journey, as well as evaluate different aspects of the service they receive from Bangkok cabbies.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/dlt-check-app-lets-passengers-rate-bangkok-taxi-drivers/5371/